more than 30 calls, it emerged yesterday.

Chief Immigration Officer Martin Brewer reported that the hotline, which came into operation on May 11, has received 33 work permit related calls.

A dozen messages were left in the first 24 hours that the hotline went into effect.

The inspectorate section of the Immigration department has responded to all the calls and is maintaining its policy of dealing with them in the strictest confidence, continued Dr. Brewer.

Calls relating to other sections of the Department or other Government Departments have been forwarded appropriately, he added.

The hotline number is 296-5202 and it operates around the clock.

Dr. Brewer noted: "The hotline's great advantage to the public is that the Department of Immigration can be accessed at any time of the day or night and know that they will receive a response within a reasonable time.''