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Cabinet will review six-year work permit rule

Hon. David Burch

A review of the six-year work permit term limit for expatriates could shortly be tabled before Cabinet.

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, David Burch, told the Senate yesterday the review could include "possible adjustments for their (the Cabinet's) consideration".

Since becoming law in 2001, the six-year term limit for expats has prompted concern from some business leaders, who say it could harm both local and international commerce on the Island.

Government is now reviewing the policy, based on a commissioned report by the Bermuda Employers' Council on Bermuda's national workforce and recommendations by its own legal team at the Attorney General's Chambers.

Senator Burch has said previously that any changes to the six-year term limit will have to be approved by Cabinet.

He announced the "possible adjustments" as he updated the Senate yesterday on Government's recent meetings with international business organisations.

This has included consultation with representatives of the Bermuda Employers' Council, Bermuda Hotel Association, Association of Bermuda Insurance Companies, Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, and the Chamber of Commerce. Sen. Burch said: "We discussed a number of recent policy changes and also responded to concerns raised by the participants."

He said: "Good governance requires us to review our policies as the context in which they were developed changes.

"To this end, I will soon place before my Cabinet colleagues information on the impact of the policy and possible adjustments for their consideration."

However, the Minister stressed: "Lest there be any doubt, I can confirm that the policy is in place to ensure that no person granted a work permit has an expectation that they will be able to reside permanently in Bermuda.

"This is a promise this Government made to the people of Bermuda and a promise that this Government has kept."

He added that the policy on work permit term limits was "applied with fairness and in a consistent manner" across all companies and businesses.

Sen. Burch said Government was also seeking feedback on a proposal for all work permit applicants to demonstrate "competence with the English language".

And he said that plans for the controversial 'work permit cards' had been welcomed by international companies on the Island.

The Minister said: "Much noise has been made about our plans to introduce work permit cards. Let me repeat, work permit cards.

"Despite the noise, the international business industry welcomes the benefits to be had by the introduction of such a card. They recognise the convenience the card will provide.

"Once introduced, those who opt to have the card will no longer need to carefully extract their worn and tattered paper work permit when they return to Bermuda. They only need show their card."

He said: "Further, under the Department of Immigration's compliance function, we are obligated to investigate reports of Immigration violations.

"We do not expect, for example, a construction worker to carry his paper work permit on his person every day on the job.

"However, if we must investigate a job site, the process would be much easier, and less disruptive, if those under work permit control had a durable card in their wallet."

Sen. Burch announced last month that guest workers will be issued with ID cards as part of a Government crackdown on illegal workers.

However the move has prompted criticism from several Opposition MPs.

Shadow Labour Minister Shawn Crockwell described it as "disrespectful" to foreign workers: "We are really pushing right to the brink in terms of the hostile position this Government is taking to international business," he said.