Emergency Work Permits Following Gonzalo

October 20, 2014

[Updated with PLP comment] The Department of Immigration confirmed that, until October 21, businesses can apply for emergency temporary work permits if they are in need of added assistance with Hurricane Gonzalo restoration work.

A Government spokesperson said, “Until October 21st businesses can apply for emergency temporary work permits post Hurricane Gonzalo. These permits will enable businesses to bring in the personnel needed to provide the added support and resources required to sustain that business’s critical services.

“If a business decides that they require an emergency temporary work permit for an individual, that business must provide that person with a Letter of Introduction with the subject “Hurricane-Related Emergency”.

“This letter must contain the purpose of the visit, including the specific role to be undertaken and with which local Bermuda-based company, and the expected duration of the visit. The letter must be presented to an Officer at the L.F. Wade International Airport upon arrival in Bermuda.

“That business must also immediately submit, to Immigration HQ, a formal request for an emergency temporary work permit application, including the requisite fee. These work permits will be processed within two days from the day after the application is submitted.

“Please be advised that the above arrangement are in effect until October 21, 2014 only and is limited to hurricane-related emergencies only.

“After this period elapses and if the company deems that it still requires an emergency permit, they should contact the Department of Immigration.

“For more information on these permits, businesses can contact the Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Danette Ming at dwming@gov.bm.”

For all our coverage of Hurricane Gonzalo click here, and for our live blog where we are bringing you continuous live coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo click here.

Update 3.17pm: The Shadow Minister for Immigration, Walton Brown, expressed his support for the Immigration Department’s decision to allow for emergency processing of work permits to facilitate bringing in key technical support to assist companies in Gonzalo recovery efforts:

“This is the appropriate decision taken by the Department of Immigration and it will certainly be of immense benefit in helping to get the island firmly back on its feet,” Mr Brown said.

“A number of companies will need highly skilled specialists to ensure a quick return to normal — BELCO chief among them — and government is wise to put this in place. Given the climate, it is important to state this policy is only meant to apply for skilled, specialist personnel directly needed to address the hurricane inflicted damage.”

“We do, however, in an effort to ensure that Bermudians are hired where possible, call on the government to -

  • 1. Restrict permits for general labour workers until clear steps are taken to retain locals available;
  • 2. Collaborate with workforce development and other local employment firms to retain out of work Bermudians;
  • 3. Partner with Unions (BIU) to access the reservoir of long term unregistered unemployed;
  • 4. Consult with Hustle truck, Focus and other helping agencies for able bodied individuals who are looking for employment.

“Out of the adversity of Fay and Gonzalo could be opportunities for a number of long suffering unemployed Bermudians, who have lost much in the recession and not benefitted from OBA employment policies, to not only work but help restart communities and the island. We must do everything to give them the first opportunity to work again,” Mr. Brown added.

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Comments (51)

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  1. campervan says:

    I predict no comments on this subject.

    • Guest says:

      Campervan, you predicted wrong. Good thing you didn’t wager something. You would now have to dip into that little hurricane fund you have tucked away. Although methinks your comment was dripping with sarcasm. Lol.

  2. Confused says:

    Why not employ the thousands of people that are unemployed on this island for work smh…

    • D says:

      Same thing I was wondering.

      • Guest says:

        I think they are referring to people with special, technical skills, which are necessary for post hurricane recovery and restoration. Digicel and Belco for instance. I’m surprised anyone would object to, or have a problem with this.

        • Unbelievable says:

          Guest, you are right. The second some people see the words “work permits” they believe it’s a plan by the OBA to eat Bermuda’s children.

          • Truth says:

            There are a lot of retired BELCO workers that would like to work and use the money.

            • Raymond Ray says:

              If that be true then why don’t they go out and get assigned to a trucks / crew and get the job/s done a.s.a.p.?
              Far too often we hear of the supposedly willing to work yet they aren’t applying themselves. Why?

          • Ian says:

            Perhaps that’s because the OBA has repeatededly shown a segment of this community which likely represents the majority that they cannot be trusted. I suspect you already understand this.

            • SMH says:

              Ian/Jamahl…..give it a rest with the politicking and lies will you.

            • SMH says:

              IAN….In 2010, Bermuda was sold off to foreign lenders when Bermuda was put into debt….we all know who’s not to be trusted ever again! And by all, I mean each and every segment of Bermuda knows it will never, ever trust the PLP 100% again

              • Ian says:

                Does that Kool Aid get any sweeter as it becomes more and more obvious to you that the forces that have put Bermuda in the situation its in at the moment went/go WAAAAAY beyond our petty, small town local politics. It will become increasingly difficult for folks like you and the OBA to convince people otherwise…

                • SMH says:

                  The old and tired world wide economic crisis excuse again? Nice try.

      • Fact Finder says:

        @Confused, read the article not just the headlines. Then perhaps you won’t be so confused.

    • Maybe... says:

      I’m assuming these are for IT related issues, and it’s actually very difficult to find skilled Bermudians in this area.

      • Educated says:

        No it’s not. There are plenty of us recently graduated with the relevant knowledge and desire/eagerness to work. They just expect us to have at least 10 years experience….

        • D says:

          Thank you!

        • Maybe... says:

          They probably don’t have time to train fresh grads right now. I know that when you graduate from school you think you are ready to work right out of the gate. But usually school does not give you the skills that on-the-job training provides.

        • Sandgrownan says:

          The problem with “recently graduated” is that the recently graduated have higher opinions of themselves than is reasonable and when offered a position that they consider to be “below their station”, they decline. Sad fact.

          • Next says:

            How do you know this? You’ve met all recent graduates to know this for a fact or is this more of your hate filled anti-Bermudian rhetoric? How is what you all are saying any better than what Bermudians are claimed to say about foreigners? Oh I know, you can say whatever you want about Bermudians but the foreigners are off limits.

            • Maybe... says:

              He didn’t actually mention Bermudians. This is not a problem specific to Bermuda, the unemployment rate for college grads is very high in the U.S. and Canada as well. Overeducated and underqualified, a lot of these individuals have ideas of glamorous jobs and don’t want to start at the bottom.

        • SMH says:

          Unfortunately that’s the age old catch 22, you can’t get a job without experience and you can’t get experience without a job. There are only two options, start at the bottom or take a less palatable job to get your foot in the door (which is what I did) and then once you’re known you will move up base on merit OR, offer to work for free as an apprentice which shows that you are hungry and willing to do what it takes. Both of those have worked to get me where I am today. Good luck

        • Ian says:

          Not hard to guess the profile of those who hit dislike in response to this. I can assure you they’re not so-called “real Bermudians”…

  3. Bermuda Jake says:

    I suspect this is only for technical roles that would not be duplicated here.

    • Black Justice! says:

      Bermuda Jake,

      Let’s hope it’s all a hoax and it is the construct of a person or persons who are operating outside the realm of mental equilibrium.

  4. bdaboy says:

    They want people who actually have skills, are willing to show up for work and don’t have a bad attitude. Wall sitters need not apply.

    • Next says:

      Your name is bdaboy though so according to your logic as a Bermuda boy you’d be considered a wall sitter. Isn’t that what’s always stated? All Bermudians are lazy, have bad attitudes, don’t have skills and don’t want to work, right?

  5. big lad says:

    so are the people that digicel brought in allowed to work yet?
    or do they have to wait until after these work permits have been processed?

  6. Unbelievable says:

    Let’s try to squash this silly debate before it blows up:

    1. Bermuda has just been thru a tropical storm and a cat 3 hurricane. BELCO guys are TIRED. They have been going since Tropical Storm Fay. They need a break and/or assistance.
    2. These are temporary work permits. These people who have left their homes to HELP US in privileged, entitled Bermuda will be gone by the end of the week.
    3. Work permit fees go into Govt coffers.
    4. If there are any Bermudians who may be qualified, they need to get in touch with whatever company that is bringing in help.
    5. No Bermudians will be hurt in this process.

    Jesus help us.

    • Walker says:

      Dude companies are advertising already for general laborers to come to Bermuda via Craigslist.com (New York). Non working Bermudians WILL INDEED be affected.
      http://cnj.craigslist.org/trd/4720381716.html
      Requirements:
      * Minimum age is 18 years old
      * WORK BOOTS and long pants, shirt with sleeves (short sleeves is fine)
      * Capable to do physical labor INCLUDING lifting on a continual basis.
      * Working telephone number
      * Background Screening

      I DO BELIEVE EVEN A WALL SITTER (AS SOMEONE ABOVE CALLED THEM) WOULD QUALIFY.

      • Believe says:

        If you believe this is valid then report it to Dept of Immigration as general labour is definitely something that most out of work bermudians can do.

        Opening the link, it seems strange as it says “an American company going to work in Bermuda”. Can an American company can work here unless it is subcontracted ?

        Also the application form does list skilled construction related jobs so it would appear not to be general labour as stated in the main ad.

      • Creamy says:

        Yeah. That looks completely genuine.

      • Jim Jones says:

        Sounds like a scam to me.

      • Unbelievable says:

        Walker, please do not believe everything you read on the internet. Especially on CRAIGSLIST!!!!! oh my God, people. Really?

        You know……there is a portion of Bermuda’s population that is falling for this conspiracy theory that everyone is out to destroy the lives of all Bermudians (well most). It’s so silly and crazy. Why is everyone so quick to react and not actually research the information?

  7. 21st Century says:

    @Educated if you really have theses skills contact the utilities and communication companies now. they will certainly take you on board, if only temporarily. Trust me.

  8. Raymond Ray says:

    Why is it after a major storm and a Cat. #3 hurricane we only now hear of all these grand ideas from the Opposition?The O.B.A have most things under control Mr. Walton Brown, Mr. Roban and yes even you Mr. Bean :-(

    • Black Justice! says:

      Raymond Ray,

      You PLP hater. Clearly, the storm has left your computer (brain) completely and permanently scrambled. Nothing good emanates from the hole in your face regarding the PLP and Blacks.

      • Raymond Ray says:

        Black Justice whoever you are you can do you know what. End of “conversation”!

        • Raymond Ray says:

          By the way, I do speak the truth about your beloved P.L.P. but as far as “people of colour” goes, you are so far off the mark :-( Sad yes…but true

          • Black Justice! says:

            Raymond Ray,

            Will you do the same for your OBA?

            • Raymond Ray says:

              I do…”Black Justice!” Why don’t you write your name since you love to express your opinion sooooo damn much?

        • Black Justice! says:

          Raymond Ray,

          One thing is clear, I know who goes HERE! Bunch of bandits!

          • Raymond Ray says:

            Since you are attempting to turn this into a pissin’ contest why don’t we meet (you can come here) and then elaborate? Obviously you seem to “have a thorn in your side” and should allow me to remove it because it is causing you far too much discomfort :-( Oh, who are you anyway? Are you too scared to print your name?

    • PBanks says:

      I don’t think we need to lambaste the PLP for coming up with ideas (which look decent on the surface) after a serious hurricane has come through. They actually for the most part supported the Government’s decision. Let’s all be better about this and not get into the usual “our party rules, yours sucks” stuff.

      • Raymond Ray says:

        After leaving this Island and all of its citizen in billions of dollars debt, how will / can I(or others)trust the Progressive Labour Party?

  9. Next says:

    Oh what a very convenient excuse to import more foreigners I mean it’s not as if thousands of Bermudians are out of work…oh wait.

    • SMH says:

      Next….and the PLP would be doing a much better job right now, right. Their 14 years of incompetence was just a mistake and now their suddenly have all the answers. SMH

    • Maybe... says:

      What part of ‘temporary’ don’t you understand? If there are Bermudains capable of doing the work, why aren’t they doing it?

  10. Permit holder says:

    The Progressive Labor Party allowed 12,000 work permits,a few more will not hurt.

    • Ian says:

      Actually the state of our economy allowed 12k work permits. The plp just happened to be in power at the time. On the flip side the OBA uses the current state of the economy as their premise for giving more of Bermuda away to foreigners and those handful of bermudians who stand to benefit power shift (away from average bermudians). From voting rights to land ownership rights to Bermuda business ownership rights. As if that is the only approach they could conjure up for turning things around. It won’t take history to judge the OBA because their intent and condescendingly deceptive practices are so blatant PRESENTLY.

  11. Braggingrights says:

    Even after a TS and Cat 3 Hurricane we are still stressing about the help we need. The job needs to be done and asap, not having to teach as you go. Its not all about money all the time, so helping out of work Bermudians or retired workers might not be on the cards. Has anyone confirmed if Bermuda is paying them or they’re being paid from the companies they actually work for? Meaning its not actually taking anything from the Bermudians referred to but instead only helping get Bermuda back online rapidly. Bermudians who have been without utilities for over a week. You don’t think this argument is a bit selfish.