The Opposition has taken the Government to task for delays in the digitisation of immigration applications.

Jarion Richardson, the Shadow Minister of Labour, claimed that 31 months into the project, that has cost $356,880, Bermuda appeared to be “back to square one”.

Robin Tucker, an OBA senator, raised questions in the Senate on Wednesday about the progress being made on the project that Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, said had started in November 2020.

Leslie Robinson, the Junior Minister of Economy and Labour, said on Wednesday that the Microsoft Dynamics System bought for $111,880 “does not fully satisfy the expectation for full automation of all applications processed by the Department of Immigration”.

She also revealed that two consultants had been hired for the Department of Immigration’s digitisation project at a cost of approximately $245,000.

Mr Hayward said the automation of the majority of application forms was slated for completion in January last year.

Mr Richardson said: “It’s no secret that international business is the last leg on which our economy stands.

“We must acquire and maintain the skills that enable this pillar to flourish and prevent an economic catastrophe. The immigration digitisation project is one of the few practical government projects to make Bermuda work smarter.

“We’ve now spent $356,880 to computerise a process which should have been reformed years ago. We’re digitalising a process, which in any other peer jurisdiction hasn’t been on paper in 20 years.

“Further, we advertise ourselves as a modern, fintech-interested country. But if you want to hire a guest worker for your fintech firm in Bermuda, you’d better have enough pens and paper. The mixed messages are staggering.”

Mr Richardson suggested that had it not been for Ms Tucker’s questions in the Senate the public would not be aware of the development.

He said: “So instead of completion, we learn that we’re back to square one. Or not? We don’t know because unless senator Robin Tucker pressed, we still wouldn’t know even this much.”

Ms Robinson claimed in the Senate that Mr Hayward had announced the news publicly. She also said a business analyst had been hired to carve a way forward.

Mr Richardson added: “As it stands, we don’t have a new timeline or cost for the completion of this crucial project. This project was first budgeted $80,000 and has since ballooned to $356,880, and is counting.”

A Ministry of Economy and Labour spokesman said: “In response to questions asked by the shadow finance minister in the House of Assembly, including during the budget debate earlier this year, minister Hayward advised that there had been a shift in direction.

“All industry stakeholders have been informed of the work undertaken by the Department of Immigration and the challenges experienced.

“Furthermore, in a ministerial statement dated March 8, minister Hayward announced that the Department of Immigration had improved the processing speed for work permits. Employers, associations and agencies have recognised these improved efficiencies.

“On February 23, the board of directors and members of the Bermuda Hotel Association issued a press release expressing thanks for the “timely processing and approval of the annual work-permit renewal submissions”.

“The press release “emphasised this is a positive step in assisting hotels in maintaining optimum service levels for both our local and international guests”.

“Furthermore, on behalf of its staff and clients, Expertise Limited, a significant player in the recruitment arena, expressed the demonstrable improvements in the flow of work permit applications from submission to decision.

“In an e-mail to the Chief Immigration Officer, they said: ‘The Bermuda employers that are our clients are very pleased. Please extend great thanks to your team.’ Other agencies have also commented on the improvements.

“Despite these excellent achievements and public recognition, the Department of Immigration will continue consistently improving customer service to exceed public expectations.”

• UPDATE: this article has been amended to include a response from the Government