Proposed new work permit regulations designed encourage the employment of more Bermudians over foreign workers have been criticised as being harmful for business.
Last week the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, Paula Cox announced draft proposals for radical changes to the criteria and procedures for obtaining work permits in Bermuda, together with increased fees for applications and renewals. "The priority is to ensure that the Bermudians who have the required skills come first," Ms Cox said when she announced the proposed changes to the Chamber of Commerce International Companies Division.
Under the proposed changes, yet to be specified time limits (with a limited set of exceptions) will apply to work permits and every application will be reviewed by the Immigration Board before a work permit can be issued. The proposals also include a series of financial incentives and disincentives designed to encourage the employment and training of local workers over foreigners. The fees for work permits will increase each year to discourage renewals but fees can also be waived for companies who put in training programs for local staff, particularly 'understudy' schemes.
The only good news for businesses employing foreigners is the proposal to introduce an emergency process which will allow applications to be decided within 24 hours under certain circumstances.
The main subject of criticism has been the time limit proposal, which both the Opposition and business groups claim could make it difficult for Bermuda-based companies to attract high quality talent from overseas. Among the other criticisms levelled at the proposals are that the 'understudy' training scheme will be too costly for most businesses and that the need for the Immigration Board to review all applications will make the processes more rather than not less bureaucratic and cumbersome for business.
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