A new one-stop centre for employment and labour initiatives has opened, and been hailed as marking a “significant milestone”.

The new Department of Workforce Development is the old Magistrates’ Court Building.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs has worked tirelessly over the past ten months to deliver on all of our promises,” said Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy at yesterday’s official opening.

“Considerable work and effort has gone into transforming this department so that it can be a beacon of hope for those Bermudians who are struggling to regain their footing in the workplace.

“I acknowledge that the opening of this facility is the culmination of work commenced under the former administration.

“The realisation of this facility, however, represents the fulfillment of this Government’s platform promise to establish ‘a National Training Center and Assessment Centre.’”

The new department is the result of the amalgamation of the National Training Board and the Department of Labour and Training.

Sen Fahy noted the National Training Board is in the final stages of completing the National Training Plan and announced the new Job Board, an online national employment database, is now up and running on www.bermudajobboard.bm.

The website is available to all Bermudians seeking employment or a change in career in a “user-friendly and interactive manner”.

“The main objective of this tool is to consolidate and centralise jobs available in the Bermuda market,” said Sen Fahy.

“We believe the Bermuda Job Board will significantly enhance the job search process for the entire community.

“Prior to the end of the year the new Work Permit Policy will be rolled out at which time employers will be required to advertise on the Job Board.

“To this end many employers have already started to post available jobs and we encourage all employers to start posting jobs immediately so that they are well prepared in advance of policy changes.

“Once employers register and login on the Bermuda Job Board they will be able to create job opportunities, view candidate applications and search the database for suitable candidates.

“Candidates who have registered can search for jobs, create a profile and upload supporting documentation.

“Today is proof positive that we are indeed moving forward in the right direction towards fulfilling our promises and getting our economy and our workforce back on track.”

Legislation due to be tabled in this session of Parliament includes amendments to the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 and the Good Samaritan Act.

Said Sen Fahy: “It is hoped that this Act will encourage those in our community who have abundant resources to lend a helping hand to those who are struggling.”

Government will also move to clear up the “state of limbo and uncertainty” for children born to parents with Permanent Resident Certificates who cannot pass on their residency rights to their children.

And plans are underway to introduce the concept of Commercial Immigration by engaging the community in a “robust discussion around global trends” to “facilitate direct inward investment”.

Technical officers attended a summit in the UK last month to review various models to “drive investment, create jobs and stimulate hotel development”.

“While there are varying views regarding the solutions needed to fix our sluggish economy, the general consensus is that the economic circumstances we’re faced with are not abating any time soon,” said Sen Fahy.

Bermuda’s labour laws will be reviewed in the legislative year ahead by a tripartite committee representing unions, business and Government.

On the eve of the two-day Tripartite Retreat, which starts today at the Fairmont Southampton Resort, Sen Fahy said “job creation and retention” tops the agenda.

The participating stakeholders will look at the role labour laws play “and seek to introduce a system which is fairer and more inclusive”.

“Seven labour laws will potentially be impacted by the Review. And it is our intent to solicit the assistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as a part of the process,” said the Minister.

And plans are underway to introduce absentee balloting for travellers and students away in college and “extend the days for advance polling” by way of amendments to the Parliamentary Election Act 1978.