Minister Fahy Meets With Visiting Azorean Official

July 30, 2013

Strengthening historical ties, fostering relationships and matters of immigration were some of the topics discussed during a recent meeting between the Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy and Mr. Paulo Teves, the Regional Director of the Communities for the Azorean Government.

The meeting, which took place last week, also saw in attendance Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Cherie Whitter and Vasco Da Gama Club President, Andrea Moniz-DeSouza.

During the meeting, Mr. Teves stressed the importance of the historical relationship between the Island and the Azores, as well as the unequivocal presence and integration of the Portuguese community in Bermuda.

One key matter raised was the restrictions regarding the permanent residence of young Portuguese children whose parents have Permanent Residency Certificates (PRC), but are unable to pass on the same to their children due to the current law.

Mr. Teves hoped that the issue would be looked at to allow these young people to obtain permission to reside so they could remain with their families and in Bermuda, a place they consider their home.

Another important area of discussion centred around the Portuguese Accord. This, explained Minister Fahy, is essentially an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Portugal and the Government of Bermuda, covering the General Terms and Conditions of Employment and Residence of Portuguese Contract Workers in Bermuda which was made in Bermuda on February 6, 1982.

Minister Fahy said today, “I was pleased to welcome Mr. Teves to Bermuda recently. We had a very fruitful and productive meeting where we discussed a variety of matters, including tourism, the economy, historical ties and of course immigration. I listened intently to his concerns regarding the children of Portuguese PRC holders and it is a matter that I will undertake to review.

“Regarding the Accord, this agreement considers the contribution that Portuguese Contract Workers have made to the development and progress of Bermuda. Recognising that the principles which have governed recruitment, employment, and the residence of Portuguese Contract Workers in Bermuda have evolved over the years, we in the Ministry are of the view that Accord needs to be revised and updated.”

Minister Fahy concluded, “I think overall however it should be noted that our Portuguese community have left an indelible mark on our society and I expressed to Mr. Teves that this Government genuinely appreciates all of the contributions they have made to Bermuda.”

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Comments (14)

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  1. Terry says:

    Garbage.

    • WakeUp says:

      Yes all your posts are garbage.

      Forca Bermuda , Forca Acores , Forca Portugal.

      • margeI says:

        obrigado.and thanks wake up,it is all abouth strength…Forca Bermuda.

    • d.o. says:

      thats what you spew forth GARBAGE AH

  2. Big Poppa says:

    Really Terry?
    Do you deny the contribution that the Portuguese have made?
    Crawl back under your rock……

    • margeI says:

      Terry is a absolute fool, and it is fools like him that we need to avoid .
      The portugese have contributed so much to this Island….and I am so thankful for what they have done for this Island.

  3. Tommy Chong says:

    I have to give props where they’re do. This is a good one minister. As the minister said the Portuguese are part of our history & have assisted in our progress.

  4. Joey-Bag-O'doughnuts says:

    Hey, how come with all the Portuguese on the island and there is no Portuguese restaurant? Something has to be done by that because that is some real good eating.

  5. Raymond Ray says:

    Before you people start running off at the mouth remember it had been the Portuguese that were here in,(I believe)1545. Now after that they came as workers in the late 1800s early 1900s and they were equivalent to being a 3rd class citizen, neither “white nor black” another form of cheap labour. Up to today they are teased called name etc. but it hasn’t prevented them from obtaining their dreams without reaping up the past as we hear some do

  6. Truth is killin' me... says:

    Portuguese are hard workers. With hard work comes prosperity. Trabalho Duro!!!

  7. 4dtractors says:

    The Portuguese community have done well and will continue to do well.

    They do not continually bang on about respect and what they are owed from the past and it is not that they have not been treated unfairly, as we all know. They earn respect and their place in society and truly deserve it.

    We could all learn a little something from this ethic, it is what we need to get this country back up on its feet.

    • Mazumbo says:

      That’s true but you fail to realize that blacks helped to fight for the rights of Portugese and that some Portugese don’t except blacks to be part of their family (well they were one of the first slave traders) and the Colonialist system favors them more then blacks

      • Tommy Chong says:

        I’m of African & Portuguese decent as many Bermudians are & all of which was through consent here & nothing to do with being taken advantage of. My black ancestors acquired their own house well before my Portuguese ancestors did. My Portuguese ancestors lived in a barn & slept on the floor for years after immigrating here. Both sides of my ancestors helped each other out as they both lived in the same community & shared their strengths to overcome any weaknesses they had & it was never one sided. Both blacks & portuguese have helped each other fight for rights & of course there may be some Portuguese who don’t except blacks but there are some blacks who don’t except other blacks also. Even after the end of segregation which both Portuguese & blacks were subjected to the Portuguese still had to fight for rights & some even changed their names & stop speaking portuguese to be excepted by colonialist families & even then were still treated as a servant in some way.

        You typed that Portuguese were one of the first slave traders but centuries before the Portuguese got into the trade they were conquered & enslaved by African civilizations. After the crusades it was these African civilizations who actually taught them about this trade & even helped them with the supply of slaves.