The Ministry of Home Affairs continues to work hard to get Bermudians back to work according to the latest Throne Speech.

Government said the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation met with 351 clients between January and May, and supported 46 small businesses with $2.2 million of loan guarantees, allowing in turn $6.5 million in bank financing approvals.

Within Economic Empowerment Zones, BEDC guarantee certificates supported more than $250,000 in commercial bank financing to assist six new businesses and one existing business, bringing 21 new jobs to the marketplace.

The Throne Speech revealed that the Planning Department has also made strides helping job-creating projects move forward faster by reducing the time that it takes to determine planning applications and issue building permits. Specifically it noted Pink Beach, and the first phase of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess enhancements, which will create more than 200 construction jobs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is ready to oversee new opportunities for Bermudian workers when the new work permit policy, which requires all employers to advertise on the Ministry’s online job board, comes into effect on December 1.

In the speech, Government said that it will be putting forward several pieces of legislation aimed at updating and improving labour regulations, including merging several pieces of labour legislation into a single Act.

Government said the move was made after “extensive consultation” with trade union leaders, and is intended to make the law fairer, more responsive and more inclusive.

It was also announced that it will repeal the 1894 Pedlars Act, replacing it with a Vendors Act, which will include provisions for a tracking system to monitor expired pedlar licence permits, improve oversight of pedlar licence permit holders, and work permit holders receiving pedlar licences.

Another piece of legislation to be tabled will further empower the position of Planning Director, giving the director the authority to investigate, and correct, breaches of planning control, including the introduction of a planning contravention notice, and civil penalties for unauthorised development.