Immigration Hotline Reminder
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is reminding the public that the Department of Immigration’s Hotline is operational, and if there are individuals who are aware of any employee violations in the work place they should call 296-5202.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors said, “Any infractions against the Immigration and Protection Act are always a concern, and so in an effort to ensure that such occurrences are kept at a minimum, I want to encourage those members of the public who are aware of any violations to please call our hotline and share their information. Upon receipt of the information, the appropriate action will be taken.”
Minister Minors also took the opportunity to remind employers about the importance of ensuring that their payroll tax is paid and current.
The Minister said, “Employers and employees have certain obligations with respect to the payment of Social Insurance contributions, hospital levy, employment tax and medical insurance. I therefore deem it important to remind employers of the importance of being in compliance with their financial responsibilities as it pertains to their employees.”
Meanwhile, Minister Minors also reminded that the 2012 Construction Job Fair will be hosted this Thursday, and she urged Bermudians who are professionals in the construction industry and who are currently unemployed to attend the upcoming event. So far, nearly two dozen industry businesses and employers have signed up to participate in this week’s event.
Minister Minors said, “It’s our number one priority to get Bermudians back to work. So I’m hoping that we see as many construction professionals come out this Thursday to the job fair. I expect there to be some very tangible employment opportunities for those displaced workers.”
Thursday’s Construction Job Fair will take place at the Bermuda College Gymnasium from 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. For more information the public can call: 292-3700.
I wonder if this campaign fosters the same “I’m no rat!” and “I didn’t see nuffin!” attitudes experienced by Crime Stoppers……
Wonder no more , as Randy Lightbourne aka ‘The Legend ‘ has done quite well for himself , proving that crime does indeed pay and the clever criminal will always eat .
LOL….. I ain’t no snitch!!
The hotline is setup so that you can call immigration when the non-Bermudian restaurant manager has to go and wash dishes because his Bermudian pot washer didn’t show up to work.
That’s not covered by his work permit so they can kick him off the island and free up another job for a Bermudian. /sarcasm off
Patrice minus (brains)… you failed us in tourism, big time… lady you need to get out of politics. You are abig joke !!!
+
Hey rip van winkle! Were not on kitchen porters anymore! Its construction workers now cause Craig says. I wish Patrice would stop playing Craig says & call on any Bermudian who has credentials from any job sector to bring a resume & she will find a job for them. There are more than construction workers & kitchen porters who are unemployed in bermuda. There’s thousands of locals unemployed here & you can’t tell me all of them are lazy good for nothing. If you think all of those unemployed would do what your “Bermudian pot washer” example did your a condescending fool.
We wouldn’t be in this predicament if Immigration hadn’t allowed so many expats to enter the Construction workforce… if it was for specialized work – they should have been given a deadline…. Also, when spouses of Bermudians are hired -the construction company or any other should keep a copy of their Status certs on file…. should the employee have one…..
There are more than construction workers who are unemployed in bermuda! My Bad! I guess your playing craig says also. Carry on.
As a Bermudian business owner with over 15 Bermudians, I only resort to bringing in foreign staff
when I can’t find a Bermudian applicant. Nobody brings in foreigners just to aggravate or insult anyone, it is a major expense and aggravation in itself. You heard the Colonel, Burch sling some sharp arrows at the Bermudian work ethic (if there is one at all) and you will hear a hundred tales from employers of the atrocious attitude toward a fair days work by some (obviously not all) Bermudians.
Anyone who has travelled (pardon the hundreds on the stop list) will have seen people exhibit a far higher standard of work and attitude. What do you say about the enormous drug usage among the workers who complain? If fellow Bermudians complaining about being passed over
adopted the same work habits as some of those “damn foreigners” we would never need to bring them in the first place. So if you can’t see this, I suggest you complainers take the risks we business owners do and assume the workload we do and do some hiring yourselves instead of expecting the world owes YOU a job.
Firstly, I’d like to applaud you for being a business owner who hires Bermudians before foreigners whenever possible. There are some other business owners thought that will do the exact opposite of you not because they to aggravate or insult anyone but because they either want to cut cost or they are just straight up prejudice.
You may ask, how can an employer cut cost by hiring a foreigner that they must pay a permit for? Well, I know for a fact that not every work permit has the same charge on it & a work permit for a waiter cost considerably less than one for an IB professional. A work permit for non specialist cost so much less that in a month of the foreigner working for less than a Bermudian & some of them working over 40 hours while still getting paid regular time the employer has gotten enough work at a low cost out of them they break even on their work permit fee.
The other thing you may wonder is, how could I say that a Bermudian owner would be prejudice to another Bermudian? Anyone can be prejudice to their own if they think their above them though in most cases the Bermudian business owners that over employ foreigners are the ones who have non Bermudian spouses who run the business & decide who to hire. This is blatantly apparent in Bermuda’s restaurant industry but exist in other areas of Bermuda’s work sectors also. Some employers here take on a similar mind set to a neo-nazi killer I read about that was being studied by a criminal psychologist. Not that I’m alluding to these employers being neo-nazis or killers just that they have the same concept of reality as this guy. The criminal psychologist asked this neo-nazi why did he kill African Americans. The neo-nazi responded because I hate n****s. So, the criminal psychologist asked why he hated them. The neo-nazi responded because they are lazy. During the discussion between criminal psychologist & the neo-nazi the criminal psychologist got the neo-nazi to admit there were a bunch of African Americans he encountered daily that were not lazy & a bunch of non African Americans he knew that were lazy. The criminal psychologist drew the conclusion out of the neo-nazi that he really hated all lazy people & that he had been transposing his hatred of lazy people towards all African Americans because of the fallacious ideologies placed upon him by his peers.
It’s extreeeeemly impossible for the THOUSANDS of unemployed Bermudians to all be drug addicts or possess poor work habits & ethics. If this were so Bermuda would be in a heck of a worse state then it is now with crime. There are some countries with this many who fit this description & its impossible in these places to walk down the street & 95% of the time not have something criminal happen to you.
You need to ask yourself this. If you can hire a majority Bermudian staff why can’t some of the other businesses do the same? When someone decides to start a business they are supposed to devise a business plan that works in accordance to the laws of the land. If you are doing your hiring the legal way why would you defend owners who are not. If I were you I would be quite vexed that you are taking the “risks & workload” while others are taking the easy & illegal route & hiring a foreigner & then hiring friends & family of the foreigner so they skip the process you must go through.
One thing I cannot applaud you on is your poke at the hundreds on the stop list. There would be many foreign workers who would not be able to travel here if Bermuda had a stop list like United States. Many on the stop list have been on there since teens because of being caught with a small amount of cannabis which in many states of America would be a slap on the wrist & no criminal record applied. If ever even once tried cannabis you should be ashamed of yourself for taking a stab at these people. Actually even if you drink alcohol, coffee or smoke cigarettes you should be ashamed because all of these have been scientifically proven to have just as much or more of an adverse effect as cannabis. The only reason cannabis is illegal in united states is because the first drug czar of America was a racist who realized many minorities smoked it & so its criminalization as a tool to arrest or deport them. The only reason Bermuda has it criminalized is because our government likes to follow suite to avoid the American embargo that Canada went through one year when they legalized it & then decided to change back to keep trade going with the states.
“Well, I know for a fact that not every work permit has the same charge on it & a work permit for a waiter cost considerably less than one for an IB professional.”
Are you certain? I’m quite certain employers pay the same for a full time work permit holder ($700 per annum) regardless of the position/job.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve worked as a manger but when I did I helped my boss with getting the work permit applications in so I may be wrong if immigration has changed it since. $700 per year seems quite low & would even prove my point more. I remember when I did work as a manger a permit for a sales person position was $1000 per year.
I’ve tried to see if I could find some information online about the current cost but have not succeeded but I did find something else thats shocking while looking. Since the election of plp there have been 3530 more work permits approved per year than with ubp. This seems strange since one would think with less IB there would be less work permits. This actually shows that plp have been approving more unskilled labor permits than IB permits which means they been shafting the blue collar workers & IB at the same time. This makes perfect sense since there’s plp MPs who have foreign wives that they probably done favors for their family members & friends.
“I may be wrong if Immigration has changed it” ??
Immigration never “changed it”. A work permit costs what a work permit costs, regardless of what position the employee is in. That was always the case. And work permit costs have never been reduced.
In 1997 there were different prices for permits in different positions & immigration had a list of categorized positions along with the application form. I know this because I used to submit them for my employer. If there was somewhere online I could get proof of this I would & post the link but I have found none. At the moment this leaves us at a stale mate since neither of have produced anything but typed words. Either way this does not disprove my point that its easy for an employer to break even on a the price of a permit. Employers need to stop whining about the expense & aggravation of paying a work permit because they have a CHOICE of running a business or not & they have a CHOICE (in the non IB sector) of employing a Bermudian or not.
Oh great. Now we can get surly treatment in person and on the phone.
Sorry it should be, “so many foreign construction works on the Island unless it was for specialized work”
Has there been any census done that shows all the unemployed in Bermuda are construction workers? Just checking so I don’t ask you if your playing craig says also before I knew if there’s been stats done on this.
Hmmmm, similar sort of tactic to the Gestapo!!
Seriously though, this hotline will be called by ranting Bermudians who feel they are unfairly treated from any minor issue, you know this service is going to be abused by people.
And I’m sure that anyone against whom a complaint is made will be treated fairly, with respect and be afforded due process. Not.
Nah! Immigration takes them to the gas chamber like BERMYman said. Don’t you see the fear on the faces of the foreign workers when you enter the restaurants?!?!?! Immigration is so horrible to the foreign workers!!! They can’t wait to leave & tell their family never to come here!!
Okay enough of that BS I was typing I don’t won’t a McKeeva supporter to come along & spin it.
PLP appealing to the ignorant again
Do you mean unemployed = ignorant?
Hmmmm who’s being a Mckeeva supporter now by your judgement above.
LOL
Even though he spin as you say inorder for spin to be succesful it must hold atleast an once of truth, it’s then how you shape the perception of it like statistics I’m sure you know how that goes.
LOL
I did not accuse or suggest anything of $HOW ME THE MONEY’s post I just asked a question of which I have not received an answer yet.
As for your statistical truths are these materialized or just conceived & part of a stretched out of shape perception based on hear say?
What number do you call when our fellow onions are committing “infractions”? And is there a financial reward for calling ? Maybe we could call and just make up stuff?
you lot are jokers i came here earning less than $35,000 after tax back home, got here took my insurance exams which i couldnt afford back home and now I’m on well over $165,000 before my bonus………by the time you lot call I’ll get my key worker exemption.
i love BDA why would i ever go back home?
The Dept. of Immigration is supposed to exist to HELP all Bermudians, that includes business owners.
They are not there to harass and obstruct anyone. If the job is done properly, they will protect Bermuda workers from unfair hiring practices and help businesses with their employment needs.
If you remember back when their was full employment, businesses where booming and with their growth came a need for more staff. So when there weren’t anymore doctors, dentists, surgeons,tilers, masons etc what should we have done? declare a moratorium on growth, tell new and younger businesses they have no right to be ambitious? But that is where we are now, no growth ,no spending, less jobs, and I predict by time this Govt. has expelled the pot washers, construction crews and gardeners, many more Bermudians will be out of work when the companies losing these workers will close as they lose business due to their inability to replace them. See folks the replacements generally have long criminal records, heavy drug use and the poorest work habits and attitude, and that’s being fair and not exaggerating. Yeah you would hear those words more if employers weren’t so afraid of the Immigration Dept’s vengeance or theGovts’ reaction.Remember Derek’s pronouncements of taking back permits and kicking people off the Island for voicing an opinion! The PLP spelt the death of free speech and the publics right to know…anything. We are where we are when we gave up what we used to be.All this talk of pot washers is a distraction from the real point here..your country is BROKE in more ways than $.
There go another seven IB companies…
I’m sure those who feel they are entitled to jobs they aren’t anywhere near qualified for will have this number on speed dial, and in the process waste more time…
This goverment feels the need to track expats more than the criminals, maybe the ankle braclets should now be given out to the expats. Looks like this is what this counrty is comming to. Business and expacts will soon look for another place to live and work. A place where they are welcome. Maybe the Bermudians shouldn’t be allowed to school their kids in other countries and use the hospitals, I have never heard of them being turned away.Or not welcome.
Its time expats where talked about like people.
Expats aren’t people. Expats are evil mongrels here to destroy the Island as we know it. Didn’t you know? Haha but to be honest, yes sadly Government is more concerned about an expat applying for permit than a criminal running free. Sickening.
Its wayne perinchief’s job to deal with criminals not minister minors. Though in a round about kind of sort of way she is helping decrease crime because if young Bermudians especially ones with learning disability have no hope of getting a job because foreigners take them all the gangs will end up taking them under their wings hence more crime. At least the youths that can work construction will be saved but I don’t know what will happen to the ones who can’t handle hard labor in the sun all day. They might have been able to pick up a tray of dishes or take orders but since patrice is still playing craig says those kids will have to settle for picking up a revolver & a bag of crack to make a living.
There is always a choice it’s people like you that cloud the water for them so as to not let them see the choices so you can prove your point. I’ve worked in construction and in IB and guess what all it takes is a few to spoil the bunch, sad but true.
LOL
There is always a choice? Really? So all in Bermuda have a choice between public or private school? Do they all have a choice to pay the same low rent in tuckers town that they pay around 42nd? Do they all have the choice of getting professional help for free or a low price if they have a learning disability? Do all have a choice to eat pricey healthy nourishing foods over inexpensive junk food? Do all have a choice to live with supportive & caring parents? Do all have choice of wether an employer will hire them over a foreigner? Do all have a choice to get paid enough by their employer to afford to have a choice?
Sure a few may spoil the bunch but there’s no way one can accuse thousands of unemployed of all being rotten apples. I’m sure that more than half of those thousands were given a CHOICE to work they would & would do a good job. Sad but true they are not given this choice because so many in Bermuda especially those more privileged live with the misconception that all Bermudians except for them or those they know & approve of are lazy good for nothing. This is what clouds the water & does not allow them a CHOICE.
The government wants to remind the people of their obligations and the importance of being in compliance. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!
And again…
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!
Nice move Patrice.
The government should be personally thanking business for staying here, not dropping veiled threats. Very poor optics and decision making and Bermuda is paying the price in spades.
How is what the minister said a threat? If an expat is here legally & is doing their job by the book then they have no worries. Besides patrice is playing craig says & craig says construction workers not International Business Workers so why are you worried. At least if a Bermudian who is as qualified as you takes your position your company will still benefit from that Bermudian worker & you might get a better job in Caymans playing the coconut game with McKeeva. Its a win win since it will be easier for you to get a job somewhere else in the world than a Bermudian.
Actually, with respect to you last sentence, Bermudians have UK passports and can work in the UK and EC without permits. Unlike people from the UK and EC, who need permits to work here.
But you knew that, right?
Bermudians do not have a UK passport they have a Bermuda British Overseas Territory passport which will not allow them to work in the UK or EC. However they can apply for a UK passport which they may but are not 100% guaranteed to get especially after certain Bermudian mothers have tried to abuse the privilege of.
The UK passport will allow a Bermudian to work in UK if received but not the majority of countries in the EC because they must acquire a Shagan Visa to do this but its also not 100% guaranteed they can get one of those.
But you knew that. RIGHT?
I’m Bermudian and I have met many lazy, rude, indifferent, sloppy, sullen Bermudians in and out of the workplace. I’m coming to the view that we do away completely with work permits. Let anyone come in and apply for a job -all under the same circumstances and pay- and let us really compete in the real world. That’ll give us all something to suck teeth about!
Sure Buddy! Do away completely with work permits. Then your boss will find someone who will work more hours for less than you & you’ll be without work or insurance to pay for the dentist so instead of sucking teeth you’ll be sucking gums. Thats if you live through the riots that would spawn from mass unemployment if your idea ever happened.
@Pepper…I totally agree…so tired of people in jobs with no experience.
Lets face it most of the Government ministers are like fish out of water flopping around without a clue. One thing most have in common personal gain. They are there for themselves NOT the people.
I am convinced that Minister Patrice Minors is not really a true Bermudian and have therefore reported her to the hotline.