Minister clamps down on work permits to protect Bermudian jobs

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17: No work permits will be issued for cleaners, masons, carpenters or landscape gardeners without the direct approval of Immigration Minister Colonel David Burch.

The Minister today announced tough new measures to protect Bermudian jobs amid growing concerns over unemployment.

He said he was worried that some companies — particularly in the construction sector — were reluctant to employ Bermudians.

In one recent case the Minister said he had ‘red carded’ nine companies who had failed to respond to a job application from a Bermudian ‘master mason’.

The mason was hired by a tenth firm.

And the Ministry has now ordered an investigation into why the other nine did not even respond to his application.

“We have been provided with the names and adverts of all those companies where he applied.

“They have been red-carded, which means all their work permit applications – new or renewal – are on hold and must be approved by me.

“Clearly these firms are not serious about hiring Bermudians and as such they cannot expect the co-operation of the Department of Immigration.

“In each case a company profile of the firm has been requested so that we can see how many staff they employ and the breakdown of Bermudian or non-Bermudian.”

The Minister said closer scrutiny could be expected across the board. He said the Department of Labour, Immigration and Training had taken steps to ensure Bermudians were qualified and employable in the trades.

And he said no work permits would be granted in construction and landscaping until he was satisfied there was no suitable Bermudian candidate.

“I cannot allow work permits to be approved in these areas while Bermudians are not even being given an opportunity at jobs.

“As such, effective immediately, all applications in these categories are on hold pending a full investigation in each case. Concurrently, those applications suitable for processing will be reviewed and approved by me and the Appeals team…

“It would be correct to say there is a moratorium on all applications for masons, carpenters, landscape gardeners and cleaners until I am satisfied that Bermudians are not being deliberately thwarted in the workplace.

“I consider these draconian steps but in this current economy it cannot be business as usual and employers have a greater responsibility to ensure Bermudians are put back to work.”

He said he would be seeking an immediate meeting with the Construction Association of Bermuda over the new guidelines.

Employers in that sector are already required to consult the BIU, the Hustle Truck and the Department of Labour and Immigration before work permit applications can be processed.

And Colonel Burch said there were many firms who were working hard to employ Bermudians. But he added there were still those who were not doing enough.

He said unemployment issues led to social problems and urged companies to consider the impact on Bermuda before hiring foreign workers.