The Opposition Progressive Labour Party has expressed “grave concern” over planned amendments to work permit regulations designed to attract foreign job creators to the Island.

Yesterday Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said the draft proposals, which include new categories of permit for exempt companies looking to hire guest workers, would “provide new training and career opportunities for Bermudians”.

But the PLPs spokesman on Immigration, Walton Brown, has today questioned that claim, arguing that “new categories of work permits will actually significantly weaken the career aspirations for Bermudians”.

The statement, issued by a Progressive Labour Party spokesman, is printed in full below.

‘The Opposition Shadow Minister for Immigration, Walton Brown, is today expressing grave concern about the proposed new immigration policy set to be adopted later this year.

Mr Brown commented today, “We want to ensure there is a balanced work permit policy that provides the flexibility for companies particularly our key international business sector to flourish while at the same time promoting opportunities for Bermudians. While there are many positive proposed changes, significant problems are presented with the Bermuda Employment Visa and New Business Work Permit policies.”

Referring to the mission statement of the Ministry of Home Affairs “ to improve the economy by addressing the needs of the local and international business community and the career aspirations of Bermudians” Mr Brown points out that these new categories of work permits will actually significantly weaken the career aspirations for Bermudians: the BEV will remove the top 20 percent of positions in international companies from work permit control and therefore beyond the reach of Bermudians.

“We have seen many Bermudians rise to significant senior positions in international companies over the past two decades; this proposed new policy will significantly curtail future opportunities. This is deeply problematic. In an effort to secure the flexibility the international business community rightly needs to compete in a tough environment has jettisoned the interests of Bermudians altogether. This policy needs a rethink.”

On the issue of the New Business Work Permit, MP Brown observed: “The idea of simply giving a company any and all the permits it seeks is an exaggerated response to a genuine business start-up challenge.

“There is some merit in a new company receiving permission to hire the key staff needed at the initial stage but there can be no justification in applying this policy to all staff. Government has to ensure, at a minimum, that there are genuine opportunities for locals to seek employment in their own country.

“Other aspects of the proposed policy require further consideration: while serial work permit abusers will face fines up to $10,000, government should consider refusing all work permit applications from such employers for specific periods of time as a more effective deterrent.

“The proposed new policy only focuses on English proficiency for nationals who fall under the Portuguese Accord and for those who work in the construction industry. This needs to be extended to other sectors, particularly hospitality. There is no detail provided on who will conduct such testing and at what stage of the work permit application process.

“The issue of protection of domestic workers requires greater monitoring and better policy. For the Minister to accept a wage as low as $10 per hour for nannies and other domestics is no doubt a main reason why Bermudians and spouses of Bermudians do not apply for such jobs. That pay does not amount to a living wage in Bermuda and has to be revised up.”