Government is putting training and the employment of Bermudians right at the forefront of its Immigration policies. Yesterday Labour Minister Paula Cox urged businesses to co-operate. Mairi Mallon reports.

While international companies may not like some of the proposals to alter Immigration procedures, the changes have been made in the interests of the business community and in the interests of Bermuda, according to Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, Paula Cox.

Yesterday, while addressing the Chamber of Commerce International Companies Division, she asked for the international businesses of the Island to help make the new proposals work and forge a partnership with the Government.

She said: "Needless to say, you may not like some of the changes, at first.

However, let me assure you, the changes are designed to accommodate your interests and the needs of this country. We ask that you give us the opportunity to make them work.'' Ms Cox said that Government and Bermuda were partners in the task of making Bermuda work well and said that with open communication and respect, that a balance could be achieved in the matter of immigration procedures.

Ms Cox said: "We are looking at training and employment and encouraging the business community to seek and employ Bermudians in all sectors of the economy.

"We recognise that you set high standards of education and performance within your industry in order to meet your corporate goals. We know, that there are, or may be, Bermudians who can serve your industry as well as someone who requires a work permit.'' The new procedures which will set time-limits on work permits for foreigners and offer financial disincentives to employers to renew work permits, will affect 20 percent of the Island's work force.

These men and women, work in a range of jobs from high-flying international business to nurses, labourers and policemen on the street.

Heads of companies will, however, be safe. There is a special clause which exempts `key' men and women.

And a further clause will allow those working in fields of work where there is a shortage of labour both in Bermuda and abroad, to extend their terms.

Ms Cox said: "Other proposed changes include setting some sort of term limits for renewal of work permits. This is to avoid getting into a no-win situation, where there are expectations of long-term residents when people are continually being granted work permit renewals.

"It is anticipated that there will be exceptions for key men and women in an organisation.

"The thinking is that there should be some limits established up-front, so people know at the outset what the position is and are not lulled into a false sense of security.

Cox calls for partnership "It may be that depending on the circumstances there can be an extension given, subject to any exceptions.

"There may be exceptions given for key men and women or in categories of jobs where there is a shortage of labour both in Bermuda and worldwide.

"Also the intent is that the work permit fee will be graduated so that it serves as a disincentive to renew and encourages the training of Bermudians.

Where there are realistic training plans and contacts in place, this cancels out any work permit fee increase.'' Changing times: Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, Paula Cox, outlines Immigration changes to the Chamber of Commerce International Companies Division yesterday. She urged co-operation between Government and international business.

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