10-year work permits to cost $20k

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20: The new 10-year work permits will cost $20,000.

Patrice Minors, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry officially launched the 10-year work permit scheme on Friday.

She said: “These long-term work permits are for positions in job categories designated as positions that are critical to the continued success of the company and to Bermuda.

“The 10-year work permit policy is an important step towards gaining the balance we need to strike with regard to work permit holders. 

“The policy is holistic in nature as it is linked to meeting specific criteria to make certain that those holding the permits are in positions that will help build the Bermudian economy.

“Therefore, to qualify for a long-term work permit, the employer must demonstrate that they meet certain requirements. 

“That is, the company must have a significant presence in Bermuda and must have a staff of at least twenty; 50 per cent of whom should be Bermudian.

“Also, the company must provide entry level positions to young Bermudians and must provide equal payment and benefits to both Bermudians and non-Bermudians.”

She added: “The cost of a 10-year work permit is $20,000 and positions eligible for this long-term work permit must be responsible for making decisions that are critical to the continuity of the company in Bermuda and, be one where either the company’s presence in Bermuda is contingent on that person remaining in Bermuda such as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or Chief Financial Officer; or where it can be demonstrated that Bermudians are unlikely to have the qualifications to fill the position and, historically, no Bermudians have applied for the position.”

Ms Minors pointed out  “the presence of non-Bermudian workers in our workforce is directly related to globalization and our economic success. 

“There are insufficient Bermudian workers with the appropriate skill sets to fill all the available jobs.  We are quickly working to establish programmes that will help those in transition to acquire new skills.”