Senator Michael Fahy, the Home Affairs Minister, has explained why the implementation of a new work permit policy has been postponed.

The final policy was expected to be rolled out on Monday after months of consultation with a host of stakeholders, but concerns that the new Bermuda Employment Visa (BEV) could adversely affect Bermudians prompted Mr Fahy to delay the announcement.

The BEV, which was initially championed by the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC) as an important component of the new policy, has now been scrapped and the final policy is expected to be revealed in the “coming weeks”.

Mr Fahy said: “I have recently been made aware that some companies were intending to allocate the BEV in a way in which the draft policy had not intended.

“My concern lay specifically with what could be termed ‘double dipping’, whereby CEOs and other chief officers, who already obtain work permit waivers under existing policy, and did prior to this administration, would not be allocated a BEV by their employer. Rather, they would end up being allocated to mid-level employees, which could thereby have the unintended consequence of affecting Bermudian opportunities.

“Certain ABIC members have also raised these concerns with me in the last few days.

“Given that the very organisation that has strongly lobbied for the BEV is no longer wholly in support, I have made the determination to scrap the BEV concept.”

The seven-year BEV was supposed to replace the former ten-year work permit.

Mr Fahy said that he was disappointed with ABIC’s “change of heart”.

He said: “Such delayed reactions and change of heart from ABIC, the very stakeholders who originally requested the BEV concept, are very disappointing because of the knock-on effect the postponement of the entire policy has on other areas that are important for Bermuda to remain competitive and increase opportunities for qualified Bermudians.

“Consideration must be given to ensure the right balance is achieved between assisting international business in getting the best employees they can in a competitive marketplace, but also ensuring that qualified Bermudians are given the opportunities we deserve.

“I am more concerned about getting this work permit policy right from the outset in order to ensure it assists business, but more importantly, benefits qualified Bermudians in the workplace through job retention and job creation.”

The new work permit fee structure under the Government Fees Regulations 1976 will be re-tabled in February 2015, when the House reconvenes after the Christmas break.