Scott Government Softens Tone On Work Permit Term Limits

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

06 August 2003

The Bermudian Chamber of Commerce has welcomed an apparent softening in the government's tone over the thorny issue of work permit term limits, the Royal Gazette revealed this week.

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 in the future. However, according to the Gazette, the new Bermudian Premier Alex Scott has indicated that it will be possible for workers to stay beyond the nine years under current government policy.

President of the Chamber of Commerce, Charles Gosling, acknowledged that the jurisdiction needs to be "realistic" in its work permit policy, but explained to the Gazette that: "Bermuda has a finite workforce of a finite standard. We need to bring in people from overseas to fill a lot of sophisticated jobs."

Gosling welcomed the new approach to the issue and praised the appointment of former Youth and Sport Minister, Randy Horton, whom he said has a reputation as a good listener, to the role of Home Affairs Minister. "It's certainly welcome, this new viewpoint from the Premier," Gosling informed the Royal Gazette, adding that: "I hope this is going to turn into a good working relationship."

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