The Progressive Labour Party has doubled down on its message that Bermudian status is not up for grabs for foreigners under its leadership.

David Burt called a press conference yesterday at Alaska Hall, joined by Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, and Lauren Hayward Bell, the PLP’s candidate for Smith’s South (Constituency 8).

Mr Burt said the PLP’s stance on immigration was not xenophobic but designed to protect Bermudians.

The Premier was speaking after Michael Fahy, a former immigration minister whom the PLP recently described as “the architect” of the controversial Pathways to Status proposals in 2016, was revealed as the One Bermuda Alliance’s candidate for Pembroke South West (Constituency 20), traditionally an OBA safe seat.

After outlining some of the measures the PLP had implemented surrounding immigration, Mr Burt insisted: “Bermudians must always come first.”

The Premier went on: “The Progressive Labour Party has been steadfast in protecting jobs, opportunities and the futures of Bermudians.

“Our government has worked tirelessly to ensure that Bermudians are at the front of the line for employment, training and advancement.”

The granting of Bermudian status to foreign nationals would mean them gaining unrestricted property ownership rights and the right to vote.

Mr Burt said he was sure that, given the chance, the OBA would attempt to implement legislation allowing it.

He added: “Such a policy would fundamentally alter the social and economic fabric of our island.

“The OBA wanted to redefine what it means to be Bermudian, forcing through changes without proper consultation. Given the chance, I have no doubt they would try to do that again.”

Mr Burt drew comparisons with the Cayman Islands, which implemented legislation allowing for status for foreign nationals.

He added: “What was the result? Housing costs have skyrocketed, crime has risen and opportunities for locals have been diminished, and most importantly of all, born Caymanians are now a minority in their own country.

“Is that the future that you want for Bermuda?”

Mr Hayward said the stakes “could not be higher” in the upcoming General Election.

He said: “The PLP believes in a fair, measured and Bermudian-first approach to immigration.”

He reminded the public of PLP policies including expanding restricted and closed job categories, protecting opportunities for Bermudian entertainers and introducing the prohibition of entry order.

He spoke of the PLP’s introduction of the economic investment residential certificate mandating that non-Bermudians make an investment in Bermuda before gaining residency, restricting visitor stays to 180 days in a one-year period “minimising illegal residency”, restrictions on internships to non-Bermudians, and the introduction of mixed-status family legislation “designed to keep families together”.

He said the PLP had amended eligibility requirements for permanent resident’s certificate holders “enabling individuals to obtain PRC at 20 years of residency”.

“The PLP strongly believes we can achieve our strategic immigration objectives without providing status to non-Bermudians,” Mr Hayward maintained.

Ms Hayward Bell said Bermudians were applying for jobs they were qualified for, yet were turned away in favour of overseas workers.

She said: “We have seen Bermudians pushed aside, not because they are not good enough but because they won’t accept unfair wages or mistreatment.”

She said overseas workers had also been “exploited, underpaid and mistreated”.

“Let us be clear, the PLP is not anti-foreigner, we are not xenophobic, we are not against people coming here and contributing to our country and our economy.

“However what we are against, and what we will always fight against, is exploitation.

“We are against a system that rewards employers who bypass Bermudians for cheap labour.”

Mr Fahy said upon announcing his candidacy that the Pathways reforms had aimed to prevent emigration and to keep “capital and money on the island, increase the tax base and our pension pool”.

At the time, Jarion Richardson, the Leader of the Opposition, defended Mr Fahy’s integrity and political experience, saying he “truly wants what’s best for our entire community”.

Mr Hayward said it was important to consider the limited size and resources of Bermuda.

He said: “We now recognise that persons have remained in Bermuda for longer periods of time and so we have no problem with extending permanent residency to individuals.

“The problem becomes more challenging when our children don’t have access to scholarships, have to compete for internships and grant funding with children of non-Bermudians.”

Mr Burt added: “When you get a PRC, you are limited in the amount of land you can purchase. Status offers the unlimited rights to purchase housing in Bermuda. It is vital to remember that.”

Mr Burt said immigration had been weaponised in history “by the forefathers of the OBA, the United Bermuda Party”.

He added: “Persons were given status for the pure and simple reason, in different places, to vote.”

In September 2022, Mr Hayward set a goal of increasing the workforce in Bermuda by an estimated 8,418 extra people within five years.

However, last October he admitted that the plan was too ambitious.

Mr Hayward said: “I have always indicated that that number is a moving target.

“When we do our census in 2026, we will get the exact amount of seniors in our population and we will compare that with the amount of able-bodied workers to determine whether or not the 8,400 target is still relevant.

“Yes, we still aim to increase our working population and year after year we have been making meaningful progress in terms of increasing our working population.”

Asked if he knew how many Bermudians had left the island in recent years, Mr Hayward replied: “We don’t have an absolute figure but we have embarked on a comprehensive immigration study.

“Once that report is received, I will be happy to share the report with members of the media.

“The ultimate aim is to ensure that we let those Bermudians who have emigrated know that Bermuda is home and there is opportunity waiting for you.”

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