Labour Commissioner Louie Laveist told the Daily Herald last week that he was advocating a proposal that would eliminate the need for non-nationals to obtain “unnecessary documents” when filing for new employment permits and permit renewals.

Under the Laveist plan, first time employment permits would be issued for an initial period of three years, after which the authorities would assess the labour market to determine whether any suitably qualified local candidates could fill the positions in question. However, there may be the possibility that permits could be extended for a period of two years after the initial three-year period.

Currently, new permits are issued for a period of one year.

“The basic principle is for a lot of the unnecessary red tape to be eliminated and reduce the frustrations of government, businesses and the applicant,” Laveist told the Herald, adding that his proposals would amount to a "win, win, win situation.”

Presently, prospective long term residents have to apply for a permit in person at the Governor's offices, and supply a good deal of personal, medical and financial information and documentation. Work permits have to be applied for by employers, after advertising a position in local newspapers and failing to fill it.

The immigration issue has been high on the political agenda in the Netherlands Antilles for some time as the authorities seek to clamp down on illegal immigration. Their main objective is to prevent undesirable goods and persons from entering the Netherland Antilles and Aruba, and to prevent the illegal movement of persons and goods from the Dutch Caribbean territories to the Netherlands.