Former Minister Calls For End To Intimidating Work Permit Rules

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

27 October 2003

Bermuda’s controversial work permit term limit policy has been sharply criticized by former Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness who is urging the government to drop the current rules in favour of a more flexible scheme practiced in many other countries.

“I understand the problems Government is trying to resolve, but I think this policy is wrong and should be removed,” said Mr. Edness in a report in the Royal Gazette. “I think the policy is unreasonable and is threatening and intimidating to international companies as well as local companies. My fear is that it will result in damaging the economic welfare of Bermudians,” he warned.

Business in the island has long been unhappy at the introduction of a six year term limit on work permits (which can be extended to nine years in certain circumstances), arguing that the inflexibility of the policy will lead to a recruitment crisis and scare firms away from the jurisdiction. However, the new Bermudian Premier Alex Scott has indicated a softer line on the issue in recent weeks.

“There is a simple way to prevent this," declared Mr Edness, continuing: "all Government has to do is to put in its immigration policy, like other countries do, that you cannot become a long term resident or get any status as a Bermuda citizen as the result of a work permit.”

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