There was standing room only last night at St Paul Centennial Hall, where an estimated 300 residents turned out to hear the panel discussion on term limits.Led by Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy, it was clear that the diverse group of Bermudians who turned out wanted to hear the facts of the impact of abolishing term limits on work permits.The brief speeches by panellists were followed by a heated question and answer period that was extended beyond the allotted closing time.The Minister was joined by panellists Walter Roban, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Bermuda Chamber of Commerce President Ronnie Viera, Bermuda Employers Council President Keith Jensen, Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert and Bermudian contractor Michael Ross.One man was asked to sit down after he followed up with more questions after asking the Minister why the One Bermuda Alliance promised one thing before the election “and then did an about face”.Another woman, who prepared a statement, was asked to step down “if she had no specific questions”.And another man who said he has worked at the Grotto Bay Hotel for many years was adamant that term limits affect the work permits granted for non-Bermudians.“There is a qualified Bermudian who I know can do the job who was interviewed and not given the job. I have a letter that was written to the Board of Immigration to seek an extension for the foreigner who has the job who has been living here for the past 31 years.“Why can’t the Bermudian have the job when there is a non-Bermudian working out of their category for a very long time (and) employed in the job? Nothing has been done when there is a Bermudian qualified for the job,” he said.“They even granted the non-Bermudian an extension for nine months and all I want to know is if there’s anybody here who ever got a nine month probationary period — no! I know some of the shareholders are here but I want to know the answer, tonight.”The Minister referred the man to recent hotel job fairsThe forum moved on to the issue of restricted job categories with many questions on advertisements for jobs that appear to be tailor made.Said Mr Fahy: “When a work permit comes up and someone makes an application to bring in someone from overseas the position must be advertised and Bermudians have the right to apply.“In most areas where there is a restricted category the employer must go to the Department of Labour and Training to check to make sure whether or not there are Bermudians who have registered who are qualified for those positions,” said Mr Fahy.“That is what happens now, what has happened in the past and that is what will continue to happen to ensure that Bermudians are given every opportunity to fill the positions. Bermudians have that right and so I agree with most of the sentiments of the last few speakers.”The Shadow Minister of Home Affairs noted: “This has been with us for decades, this issue, and we’re still trying our best as a country to deal with it. We talk to people, international business as well, contrary to perhaps some of the beliefs out there and also in other industries.“But perhaps an idea on what might contribute to some of us in this country feeling better is the creation of a register of Bermudian employees which sets out by reference to specific job categories.“All Bermudian employees with qualifications and so forth should be listed so that we know who is out there. Frankly the focus of the Government should be on Bermudians first,” he said.Another local human resources executive had more questions on advertisements tailor made for specific individuals earmarked for jobs.Minister Fahy said: “I agree with you that there are some employers who will tailor ads to make sure they get the person they want or to keep someone who is a guest worker. That is incumbent upon the department and in fact the Immigration Board as well to root those kinds of things out.“What we would like to see, and its something that we have done internal discussions are some minimal occupational guidelines set in respect to all categories in terms of what is the actual minimal requirements to root some of this stuff out.“This is something we’re actively working on and I accept that the policy has not always worked and we need to make some vast improvements on it. I accept that fully and that’s what we intend to do to make that very clear.“But we’re six weeks in and there’s a lot to do and there’s a lot we need to look at. I’m not able to come here tonight and bring all the answers but I will try to give you the answers of things I understand is the way forward.”When asked for his take on the meeting last night, Opposition Leader Marc Bean said: “This is good dialogue and its clear by the turnout tonight that its always good to have consultation with the people before making decisions of this magnitude.”