Minister Fahy Reveals Work Permit Policy Draft
[Updated with video] Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy revealed the new Draft Work Permit Policy today [Oct 1], which proposes new categories of work permits including the Bermuda Employment Visa, the Global Entrepreneur Work Permit and the New Business Permit.
The Minister said that one of the Government’s main goals is to restore economic health to Bermuda, to create new conditions that enable Bermudians to find work and career opportunities, and he believes the new Draft Work Permit Policy will greatly further efforts in that regard.
Bermuda Employment Visa
Minister Fahy said, “A Bermuda Employment Visa [BEV] will make it possible for exempted companies to employ a limited number of foreign nationals without needing to advertise or to apply for a Standard Work Permit. The total number of BEVs issued to an exempted company will be limited to 20% of the total Bermuda-based workforce of that exempted company.
“Companies that wish to participate in obtaining a BEV will need to be accredited. Accreditation will include a process requiring the creation of work place opportunities for Bermudians in the form of training programs and succession planning. BEVs will essentially replace ten year work permits and can be applied for 1 to 7 years.”
Global Entrepreneur Work Permit
The Minister said, “The new Global Entrepreneur Work Permit has been created to enable individuals who are planning new start-up companies in Bermuda to apply for work permits. This will enable that person to live in Bermuda while conducting their business planning.”
New Business Permit
Minister Fahy said, “Other changes proposed in the draft policy include the New Business Permit. These would allow brand new companies to Bermuda to obtain work permits without advertising during the first six months of their existence.
“If ten or more permits are required, then information will be asked of the new company regarding their growth strategy and how they intend to employ Bermudians. This information will be taken into account when further permits are applied for.
“Our aim with this policy is to attract companies to relocate to Bermuda. The knock on effect, of course, is more people on the ground, renting homes and apartments, paying taxes, eating in our restaurants and generally contributing to Bermuda’s economic well being.
“I must reiterate that this will apply to new companies coming to Bermuda with new staff coming, not as a vehicle to shift employees already in Bermuda to a new subsidiary.”
The Minister said other policy changes include the requirement for employers to do the following:
- They must satisfy Government that they have informed all unsuccessful Bermudians, Spouses of Bermudians, and PRC holders of the outcome of their applications, prior to the submission of a work permit application.
- They must ensure that all jobs are advertised on the Government Job Board, with their advertisements running for 8 consecutive days);
- They must ensure that where an established graduate training programme or an established exchange internship programme exists, that Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians, and PRC holders are given equal opportunities to participate in related programmes; and
- They may be asked to participate in initiatives led by the National Training Board to boost the number of Bermudians employed in job categories where there are currently high numbers of work permit holders. Employers who employ more than five (5) work permit holders may be invited to participate in such initiatives.
“Overall, we believe these changes will demonstrate to the local and international community that Bermuda continues to be open for business as we continue to cut down on the red tape which hinders our growth as an international business domicile,” said Minister Fahy.
“The intent is for the new policy to come into effect on December 1st, 2014. As there will be new fees associated with the new work permits, this will require legislative approval, which we plan to Table into the Legislature in November. New work permit application forms will be available on-line only as will further information on the accreditation process for BEVs.”
Minister Fahy added, “We also look forward to receiving feedback from the public before finalizing this document. People can view the document on the Government website www.gov.bm and have until October 17th to send us their views. They can do this by emailing workpermitpolicy@gov.bm.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good morning and thank you for coming.
One of the Government’s main goals is to restore economic health to Bermuda, to create new conditions that enable Bermudians to find work and career opportunities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs plays a critical role in achieving that goal. Specifically its mission is “to improve the economy by addressing the needs of the local and international business community and the career aspirations of Bermudians”.
This morning, I would like to review a new Draft Work Permit Policy for Bermuda, which I believe will greatly further our efforts in this regard.
The revision was undertaken to keep Bermuda current in an ever-changing, highly competitive world.
And it has been developed over the last year through consultation with stakeholders and the community at large. The work was led by the Work Permit Stakeholder Group, which is comprised of representatives from employer and employee groups. Their work will continue as we seek feedback on the draft policy.
As Minister I am also continuing this consultative process, having already presented major changes to the Labour Advisory Council, the BIU, the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) and The Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC). I will be making further presentations this week and next to the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda Employer’s Council, the Bermuda Hotel Association and the Bermuda Human Resources Association.
These meetings have been extremely helpful to us, as each organization has provided excellent feedback on the proposals.
We also look forward to receiving feedback from the public before finalizing this document. People can view the document on the Government website www.gov.bm and have until October 17th to send us their views. They can do this by emailing workpermitpolicy@gov.bm
I’d now like to run through some of the principal changes in the draft policy.
New categories of work permits are proposed, such as the Bermuda Employment Visa and the Global Entrepreneur Work Permit.
A Bermuda Employment Visa (BEV) will make it possible for exempted companies to employ a limited number of foreign nationals without needing to advertise or to apply for a Standard Work Permit. The total number of BEVs issued to an exempted company will be limited to 20% of the total Bermuda-based workforce of that exempted company. Companies that wish to participate in obtaining a BEV will need to be accredited. Accreditation will include a process requiring the creation of work place opportunities for Bermudians in the form of training programs and succession planning. BEVs will essentially replace ten year work permits and can be applied for 1 to 7 years.
The new Global Entrepreneur Work Permit has been created to enable individuals who are planning new start-up companies in Bermuda to apply for work permits. This will enable that person to live in Bermuda while conducting their business planning.
Other changes proposed in the draft policy include the New Business Permit. These would allow brand new companies to Bermuda to obtain work permits without advertising during the first six months of their existence. If ten or more permits are required, then information will be asked of the new company regarding their growth strategy and how they intend to employ Bermudians. This information will be taken into account when further permits are applied for. Our aim with this policy is to attract companies to relocate to Bermuda. The knock on effect, of course, is more people on the ground, renting homes and apartments, paying taxes, eating in our restaurants and generally contributing to Bermuda’s economic well being. I must reiterate that this will apply to new companies coming to Bermuda with new staff coming, not as a vehicle to shift employees already in Bermuda to a new subsidiary.
Other policy changes include the requirement for employers to do the following:
- They must satisfy Government that they have informed all unsuccessful Bermudians, Spouses of Bermudians, and PRC holders of the outcome of their applications, prior to the submission of a work permit application.
- They must ensure that all jobs are advertised on the Government Job Board, with their advertisements running for 8 consecutive days);
- They must ensure that where an established graduate training programme or an established exchange internship programme exists, that Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians, and PRC holders are given equal opportunities to participate in related programmes; and
- They may be asked to participate in initiatives led by the National Training Board to boost the number of Bermudians employed in job categories where there are currently high numbers of work permit holders. Employers who employ more than five (5) work permit holders may be invited to participate in such initiatives.
Other policy changes will require businesses to provide additional information to the Department of Immigration. Restaurants, for example, will need to outline the minimum weekly take-home pay for their workers, and beauty salons will need to include sick and holiday pay information in their contracts of employment.
The draft policy also proposes to end the practice of giving refunds to unexpired periods of work permits. This will remove more red-tape at the department and encourage employers to apply for the length of permit they actually require.
These new policies will complement the powers already given to the Chief Immigration Officer in terms of levying civil penalties for rogue employers and employees.
Overall, we believe these changes will demonstrate to the local and international community that Bermuda continues to be open for business as we continue to cut down on the red tape which hinders our growth as an international business domicile. For example, employers will now only need to produce chest x-rays for TB for employees coming from high risk jurisdictions and will be able to complete work permit forms in Microsoft word. However there are quid pro quos as identified above which we believe will give opportunities to Bermudians whilst assisting business in their goals.
Bermuda must be seen to be competitive. However, being competitive does not mean selling out on opportunities for Bermudians. By ensuring our Immigration Policies are transparent and fair we aim to attract new business to Bermuda to stimulate continued growth. These policies will make Bermuda more competitive but also go a long way to encouraging employers to train Bermudians and put them on a career path that meets their needs and ambitions.
The Department of Immigration is often on the front line and often catches the blame when things go wrong. I wish to make it clear again those complaints are taken seriously, whether anonymous or not. However I must take this opportunity to also say that most employers do want to hire Bermudians. Whilst there are some rogue employers out there, most want qualified Bermudians. It is better for their business planning and growth strategies. I believe that the policy changes will make employers even more responsible and cognizant of their responsibilities to the local work force.
The intent is for the new policy to come into effect on December 1st, 2014. As there will be new fees associated with the new work permits, this will require legislative approval, which we plan to Table into the Legislature in November. New work permit application forms will be available on-line only as will further information on the accreditation process for BEVs.
I have given today just a small snapshot of the proposed changes to the policy given the natural time constraints of a press conference.
The aim of these policy changes is to help turn around the economy in ways that benefit Bermudians directly and indirectly, to cut red tape, to make the system more user friendly and transparent and to provide new training and career opportunities for Bermudians.
Again I invite members of the public to read the policy document so that you are well informed going forward.
I am happy to take questions.
Thank You.
-
The full 50-page document is below [PDF here]
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where are the 2000 jobs promised for bermudians????? havent seen them yet, but quick to make jobs for outsiders.
You expect a rabbit to come out of a hat to.
tunnelvision?
The point of these visas is to open job opportunities for Bermudians. Can you not read?!?!?
“Accreditation will include a process requiring the creation of work place opportunities for Bermudians in the form of training programs and succession planning”
How does this “make jobs for outsiders”?
are you an idiot? governments don’t create jobs – they create environments whereby jobs can be created.
just like the PLP created an environment whereby jobs LEFT the island, the OBA is trying to create an environment where businesses feel WELCOME (heeeyy, there’s a concept….) and jobs get CREATED. it’s pure magic!!! be nice, and they come! TA DA!!!!!
That is unfair the net total of jobs that came on island was greater than the loss. Most of the lossed occurred during the continuing recession that started in 08. cut the crap.
More jobs have been lost under obama than bush..must be a black thing – not possibly an economic thing right?
That’s actually demonstrably untrue
Obama as been one of the most economically successful presidents ever.
You clowns are always referring to the PLP whenever someone questions the OBA/UBP about any policy that is put foward. Only an idiot would take the word of the OBA without asking questions about their intentions. They questioned and criticized everythng that the PLP did and when they became the Government they were twice as bad. I say, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the damn kitchen.
Clowns??? You and anyone that thinks like you is a CLOWN!!!! Did it ever occur to you that the OBA when in opposition had every right to question what the Plp were doing??? Of course it didn’t occur to you did it??? Let me help you, the OBA were questioning the plp because there was massive unemployment starting to happen along with a rapid huge deficit ( which we all are accountable for by the way) may I ask you why you seem to think your party (plp) should NOT have been questioned?? Do you really think that as long as the plp were causing this carnage, it was ok???? Get real, you CLOWN!!!!!
Be careful who you call clowns Kangoocar, because the only circus I have seen for the almost 2 years of being in power was all the jokes and laughter that come out of this ubp/oba circus you fools tape together.
It’s been hilarious at best. Weren’t you the same clown that defended the last oba Premier hmmm where did that get you duck! Now sit your punk blog a** down and make my popcorn, oh don’t forget I like it warm.
Buddy, you are the clown.
Read the earlier post, Governments create environments to grow, they don’t create jobs (except the PLP who gave us a bloated civil service).
I’m so sick of this supposed anti-Bermudian rhetoric, the govt are encouraging overseas companies to create jobs that make Bermudian roles – don’t you see that? Do you know anything about economics?
The OBA are not anti Bermudian, they are just smarter than the PLP were. Just because you shout loudly we are pro-Bermudian, doesn’t make it more true.
The PLP was the most anti Bermudian Government in the history of Bermuda. Thanks to their policies Bermuda is now owned by foreign banks. During their tenure Bermudians married to non-Bermudians had to buy licenses to be able to buy properties in their own country. Bermudians also lost a significant value in their homes when overnight the PLP introduced legislation saying their homes could only be sold to other Bermudians.
Kangoocar, or what your name is, if you read what ii wrote carefully the point i was making is i have no problem with you complaining about the PLP but now that the shoe is on the other foot , you OBA jokers can’t take it.
There is no shoe, the PLP used it as collateral for debt.
This is exactly how you go about creating new jobs by encouraging businesses and entrepreneurs to start and/or grow in Bermuda. If people bring their businesses to Bermuda then they will spend in Bermuda and employ people in Bermuda, which will drive growth in the economy. The only other way to do it is to make existing international businesses more competitive so that they grow, find more Bermudian entrepreneurs that have something to offer the world market, or for the government to spend more through increased borrowing or taxation. You can be sure that the first is already being done as effectively as possible by international company executives, the second is unlikely to occur through a short term government intervention, and the third is unsustainable. So….there you go….the government is pursuing the one option that they can control: making it easier and more attractive to set up in Bermuda.
SHUT DE WHOLE ISLAND DOWN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PLP once again trying to destroy rather than create.
You want to sacrifice all our futures for a power grab.
You Kunta and your cohorts are anti-Bermudian !!!!
It’s the, not de.
There’s none so blind Kunta – and that is why you will always complain.
Boring is the other thing that comes to mind.
There’s a life out there – Get one!
Hip Hip Hooray!!! A breath of fresh air to the new Companies coming to the Island. As a person who knows of Companies coming to the Island this is something that other places do and we were not behind the ball on this. There is a big knock on effect so this can help the economy in many ways including getting Bermudians employed.
Really? Note the verbiage that this will “…allow exempt companies to employ some foreigners without needing to advertise or to apply for a standard work permit.”
“I must reiterate that this will apply to new companies coming to Bermuda with new staff coming, not as a vehicle to shift employees already in Bermuda to a new subsidiary.”
And they will fill up the vacant rental accommodation owned by Bermudians
JustAskin, you’re appearing to me as being possibly narrow minded:-( Yes, the Minister had stated allowing exempt companies to employ some foreigners without them needing to advertise or to apply for a standard work permit.
What you fail to see is there was first a limited amount of people that can be eligible for employment by the “new exempt companies”. These same people will also provide jobs for “X” amount of Bermudians as well. Whether in the offices or care takers or any other place Bermudians will be able to find a job. If we don’t have foreigners coming into the Island and bringing may I say, U.S.A. dollars with them,(the same dollar we are desperately in need of)then we are all in some serious trouble
What companies coming to the island? None.
There are one’s that have a mailbox address, but do not have a physical presence on the island.
This is a fact.
Why would a “mailbox only” exempt company need a work permit?
Woah, someone is asking “gotcha” questions.
It is not a “fact”. There are new companies employing Bermudians. And this is meant to encourage more of them.
Please, name the new companies.
No. Get off your fat a and find out yourself. You’re the one out if the loop.
In the meantime Bermudians are getting jobs. Good ones.
Why? So that you can drag their names through the mud?
Just because you’re clueless don’t assume everyone else is.
Bill – not sure where you get your info from but it is a fact there are companies coming here. Trust me on this. Maybe small but they have visions of growth.
@Bill: Yes, there are thousands (not an exaggeration) of companies incorporated in Bermuda that do not have a physical presence and therefore do not have “employees” in the normal sense. They do, however, create jobs here. They need lawyers to incorporate and oversee their compliance with Bermuda’s laws and act as Officers and Directors; they need paralegals (Corporate Secretaries) and other law office staff to tend to their required filings, see that their annual government fees are paid, and keep their corporate records. These people and staff at the Registrar of Companies, banks, accountants’offices, etc., all directly benefit from these inactive companies.
Finally, something reasonable and intelligent.
And don’t buy the limited number of foreigners hired BS. You’re going to see a flood of foreign workers as companies bring in their best and brightest from overseas. And also their family and friends.
Let’s remember it was the PLP government that allowed high number of guest workers here in the first place. But guess it was ok being that they was the government……
So let me get this right, It was the PLP government that allowed a high number of guest workers here in the first place, but at the same time, it was the PLP who chased these companies out of here,, Mercy.. which is it??
Think about the difference between these companies and…I don’t know, Buzz. Get it?
All of which is very desirable..
And therein lies the rub.
More people coming in and renting and putting cash into the economy but the Onions lay waiting in the field/s waiting to be picked and add so much flavor.
Hell with it.
Um having a double.
Certainly this will be a positive for those who own rental properties and Bermuda business owners. But how will that filter down to us ordinary folk who have neither rental property nor own a business. The bottom line is, will it increase our chances of finding a job. That is — a well paying job/career, not some $5 an hour maid or nanny position. No offense of course to that type of work but I wouldn’t be able to cut it.
If one has taken the time and effort to become educated in areas that are in demand, one can minimize the risk of becoming/remaining unemployed.
You’re speak as if “foreign workers” are a bad thing. They’re not.
It’s an economic truism: more people in the economy = more economic activity = more money in the economy = more employment opportunities. Read up.
You are forgetting one thing about your “economic truism”
The dollar in which we are foolishly pegged to is in its death throws…brics is comprised of way more nations that the acronym implies. Try 153 countries presently who are finished with the petrodollar. Finished.if the dollar has a year from this date we will be very fortunate.
Or you could believe the lies of the manipulated stock market…wash trades anyone?
Your system of fiat currency and near zero interest bank loans to the fed croanies without due consideration is about to end…
So will life as we know it on this island. this time the OBA will be at the helm and you faithful will finally understand that it is not governments that run or destroy economies but the banks…Yet you will forgive them because it will be a “global problem” Governments
like the former PLP are terrible for sure but that was a drop in the bucket compared with what is looming.
Plan accordingly.
The dollar is riding high. You, mate, are out of the loop.
No creamy, you are out of the loop. Sswhite has presented factual, insightful thoughts, which you cannot refute. In fact, his/her comments have raised an issue that will reduce the above policy as an exercise of futility.
No. Sswhite is out of the loop. He “presented” a bunch of nonsense.
Since July, the Yen is down 8% against the dollar, and the Euro is down 7% against the dollar.
So much for the dollar being in its ‘death throws’. So much for his prediction that ‘if the dollar has a year from this date we will be fortunate’.
But don’t let facts get in the way of idiotic ranting.
sswhite is actually on to something. Don’t get your news from the large, corporate owned media outlets in the US. Try Zero Hedge for a reality check.
the world is as we speak about to start a global currency reset
Please explain why anything you’ve written down is a negative thing?
nothing wrong with that…..the more ppl here, the more they spend (groceries, gas, eating out etc etc), the more the economy bounces back! EOM!
Not really. Everyone is under the impression that expat workers who come here are very spendy and thus help the economy. But in reality, foreign workers spend far less than the average Bermudian family does on goods and services. Do you have any idea how much of their paycheque they save and send overseas, so that they can buy a large house back home and retire early? That’s a lot of money leaving Bermuda every month.
In general, many expats:-
1) Share an apartment with other expats to reduce the cost of housing,
2) Spend a fraction on groceries to what a Bermudian family does,
3) Buy second hand scooters, instead of most families with kids who use a car to get around.
4) Consume only small amounts of electricity because they are at work every day.
I know this from having worked with and spoken to many, many expats over the years.
In addition, do not believe that having more foreign workers means more jobs for Bermudians – it doesn’t. The truth is, foreign workers recruit other foreign wokers, not Bermudians, for jobs. For example, at my own company, the senior manager who was hired to run the department immediately set about recruiting other managers from overseas. This person was advertising for those management jobs overseas before it even went into the RG – yes, the adverts did get put in the RG eventually – as a formality.
These new work permit rules do not benefit the average Bermudian in any form or fashion.
Some expats in secondary or tertiary industries may do this, but those leading primary industries do not.
The latter are what these policies are seeking to attract, and the bottom line is that every single additional job created in the economy has a positive impact.
well… a lot of Bermudians could stand to spend a bit less on their grocery bill too!
Will you finally be happy when BDA is down to a population of 20K, with no fish left to catch?
All of the above is nonsense, and can be rubbished by simply pointing to data from the Department of Statistics, a far more reliable source than your hearsay. Read the employment briefs and other reports.
None of your bullet points are supported by any evidence that I know of. They seem to be sweeping generalizations.
I won’t speak much to your assertion that “foreign workers spend far less than the average Bermudian family.” You seem to speak of those expatriates employed in low-skilled positions, positions which are not at the heart of the announced policies. At ant rate, it can readily be shown from the budget books and GDP data that the Island’s income overwhelmingly is the result of foreign dollars in the economy. This is basic information.
But your claim that “foreign workers recruit other foreign wokers [sic]” is just so dishonest that it cannot stand on its own. Again, I point to statistics from the Department of Statistics. In fact, of those companies that are exempted, over 70% of those employed in the sector are Bermudian. ABIR’s own recent report confirms this. And, since I know you like anecdotal evidence (which on its own is highly unreliable, but all the same…), the workforce of the (relatively large) exempted company I work for is 86% Bermudian. We are not a unique case, either
Your aspersions would be better supported by economic fact, not whimsical comments which only serve to confuse the issue. Any economics text will tell you that economic growth can result only from the growth of the forces which drives the economy. Bermuda is a service economy. People provide these services. Thus, population growth inevitably leads to GDP growth. This has been the case in the past, and will be in the future. It’s known as the multiplier effect. Despite what the song says, Bermuda is not another world, and nor are we immune to the laws of economics that govern the world.
You must be a waitress in a restaurant . Your 1-4 list applies to mostly workers brought in in that category . Or maybe landscapers and farm labourers.
I too have not only ‘talked to’ our guest workers but worked with them in the other end of the scale.
For 30 years my neighbours on both sides have also always been contract workers .
What they spend on rent alone in one month far exceeds all of my fluff spending in a year.
You hardly want to know about what their grocery bills look like . Or their BELCO bills , with a/c running 24/7/365 .
They eat out more in a week than I do in a year as another example.
Your example on spending a fraction of what locals do for groceries is quite thought provoking.
Maybe that’s why almost none of them look like beached whales compared to a lot of locals .
Beached whales! You got that right! Disgusting init?
Did you report that to the authorities?
And next you’ll complain because they have big houses, nice cars, and they fill up all the restaurants.
Judging by the number of dislikes you got i’d venture to say that you hit the nail on the head.
The elephant in the room is how much we lose as an economy through economic remittances. this government and past ones talk about how much they care for the economy but fail to stop the hemorrhage of millions of dollars leaving our shores yearly. Every foreign worker on my team has a overseas bank account they send money off to . this is not rhetoric. every one.
So the idea that more people means more on-island money is mostly true yes but lets address the issue of how much more we could retain if we somehow managed to stem the flow of it leaving never to be returned.
sswhite…yes expats send some money away without them there’s NO money to rent our apartments, subsidize our health insurance, subsidize our pension plans, buy our gas and groceries…50% of a $1 is better than 0% of $0..and for once please don’t play the race card on this…opps too late
So what? If the money coming into the islamd outweighs the money leaving, which it does, because they don’t live here without spending anything, we win.
you… you understand that if those dirty nasty expats weren’t here the money they make wouldn’t be coming to the island at all, leading to less money spent here no matter how much the devils send “home”?
Your mate above says all new companies are brass plates with no employees. On the other hand, you think they actually have lots of employees, but they all live in shared rooms and send all their money home.
You two need to get together and decide which racist lie you want us to believe.
THEY STILL SPENDING!! THATS THE POINT! Take the F&*^ing blindfolds off dopey.
@portia this is so true as in the case of a foreign waiter who lives in staff dorms with everything provided and makes the same as a bermudian who have to pay rent/mortgage etc
Yes- to contribute to our economy!
Excellent! Bermuda needs them – to pay rents, to buy groceries, to use taxis… to provide jobs and income for locals!!
Why wouldn’t any company want to hire the best and brightest staff it can find? Does it matter where they come from, provided it helps support and grow more jobs for those Bermudians not qualified to fill the senior positions?
Well that’s the question. Will it grow more jobs for Bermudians and what types of jobs do you see Bermudians getting out of the deal?
Do you really have so little insight?
Depends on their level of education and experience.
With more companies = more opportunities to build a career and move up the ranks.
Exactly, I can rent out my house finally!
you say that like it’s a bad thing…..
….who will be renting houses, paying taxes, spending money, and HIRING BERMUDIANS. Let’s hope to god it works.
Correct me if I’m wrong: Don’t a large number of those who have been brought in to work by exempt companies usually live in pricey apartment buildings? Such as the new apartment buildings on Victoria and Dundonald Street? If this is the case, who is really benefitting from the rent payments?
And i think you shouldnt judge!
You are wrong.
Depending on what you call a ‘large number’, but the majority of ex-pats live in rented houses, and Bermudians benefit.
So which is it? The charicature that all expats share cheap hovels, never spend anything, and send all their money home, or that all expats live luxurious lives in exclusive apartment buildings?
The level of commentary on here is frikin stupid at times.
@serengeti–that has nothing to do with god…
I sincerely hope so……
Lets hope so.
And these family and friends will want to rent property owned by Bermudians given them a suplimental income. Soulds like a win win to me…
Let’s hope they bring the best and brightest! Nobody better to learn from than the best!
Yes and They will then spend money jumpstart the economy creat work so we can all get back to three trips away a year for shopping and maybe a cruise in there too yeah
Well done Minister. Hopefully this will help rebuild some of the destruction that Col. et al caused.
Here we go a slap in the face of us Bermudians who voted this party in…. Bermudians need work!!! So many people out of work. To me this party is chasing people out of this island…. sighing in disbelief
You don’t get it!
This is primarily aimed at cel and the like who create jobs here.
The majority of the rest of us are sighing in disbelief at your inability to understand this .
Are you equally as bad at economics too ?
If you knew anything about economics you’d know that no economy can survive off of one driver.
Well you should be happy that measures are being taken to expand it.
The truth is, you’re scared to death that this might work. It will just make the PLP look like the incompetent morons they are.
@creamy, looks like alaska hall called in their paid bloggers to gang up on you with their usual ( dislikes ) one can only assume they are being served the special plp tea while they are working??? The truth really stings them!!!!!
LOL.. Looks as if Raymond Rays fan club switched allegiance ! LOL
Nah. Bud and Jahmal have gotten access to the Alaska Hall computers.
We have male bashing, female bashing, but the latest craze in Bermuda is Bermuda bashing,, smdh.. Why is it every time people question or object to a new policy that has been initiated by the present government, their intelligence is being attacked.. Its really helping to fuel a negative tension which is already heightened by the economic situation.. Its a democracy, people have the right to voice their concerns, there is no need to constantly insinuate that someone is not as smart as you because they agree with everything that you agree with.. Give it a break.
** don’t agree
For what its worth, I have just read the document, and although it is a bit premature to say I disagree with it, I do have some concerns, particularly in its implementation.. Especially when phrases like
“They may be asked to participate in initiatives led by the National Training Board to boost the number of Bermudians employed in job categories where there are currently high numbers of work permit holders. Employers who employ more than five (5) work permit holders may be invited to participate in such initiatives.”
The phrase “may be” is used twice, that sounds to me like its going to be very subjective and arbitrary in its implementation.. I also have other concerns as well.. At the end of the day, if the government is truly working forward to improve our economy then all power to them, but I am not automatically stupid if I just don’t stand in line and agree..
well get off ya lazy **s and look for a job aint that hard, you can’t just start as an XL CEO from day one lmfao! sometimes you have to work the sh**** jobs to start from the bottom up. Like drake said started from the bottom now we here…..use your brain!!
you sir or madam need to pump your brakes,, stereotyping and the rest.. People are out here are suffering, whilst others walk around hamilton with big smiles on their face and their biggest concern is where they are going to lunch.. Empathy is in short supply..
Now suppose the older set have already worked in the sh*** jobs and have worked their way up through life. Are you telling them to go back to working the sh*** jobs and work their way up again (much harder with the foreign competition) and like it? Is that something you see yourself doing also?
Do me a favor all of you who like to grin and bash… imagine yourself out of work after working your way up 20-30 years in your chosen career. Then imagine watching a ex-pat get hired to do a job that you have a wealth of knowledge and experience doing. Then imagine some smug, arrogant and obnoxious soul telling you to shut up and go back down to the bottom of the pile.
It must be nice to sit back in your comfortable cocoon and give advice to the struggling and less fortunate and tell them how foolish they are to be concerned.
Have you ever tried hiring an ex-pat? You have to advertise locally first. If any Bermudians apply, you have to demonstrate that they are not qualified for the job. So if a Bermudian had ‘a wealth of knowledge and experience’ in the role, you would not get a work permit for the ex-pat.
This reminds me somewhat of the collapse of the auto industry in the US and Canada, when thousands of people lost their cushy factory and warehouse jobs. They were used to a good salary, but their skills were no longer needed and they couldn’t find another job paying the same amount. Would you suggest that the government start up new factories and warehouses to employ these people? No, it is the responsibilities of the individuals to aquire skills that are in demand in the current job market. That may mean starting at the bottom again.
Bottom line, you are not entitled to a good salary, no matter how long you have been in the workforce. You must have skills that are in demand in order for something to exchange money for your work.
LOL are you an out of work Bermudian actuary, or accountant, or senior underwriter? doubt it.
Dee, this is exactly the sort of policy which will create work for Bermudians and lift the economy. You see Bermuda doesn’t make or do anything that other countries want to buy. The only way Bermuda can stimulate its economy and create jobs is by attracting international business to the island. This is exactly the sort of policy which WILL attract businesses.
What happens if these businesses decide to pull themselves out of Bermuda?
The reality is Young Bermudian that any business can and do pull themselves out of one jurisdiction into another (Look how we lost all our tourists to cheaper more exciting destinations). For example over the last 3 years the UK lost Cadburys to the US and Walkers Crisps. As soon as these companies were bought by foreign parents then all that income tax went with it. This is the reality of the world. What Bermuda has to do is try and WELCOME companies and then create an environment where it’s management feel safe and can operate EFFECTIVELY (ie free of too much bureaucracy and conditions).
There is no such thing as a Guaranteed job for life.
Sickofantz,
I don’t fully agree but I can appreciate your perspective.
We say “thank you for coming, we appreciate the time you were here employing some of our people.”
Duh.
Wow Ronald really? Thanx so much for taking your time and energy out to meaninglessly contribute to this discussion. It is greatly appreciated. Oh and if you didn’t catch it (which I’m sure you haven’t), that was sarcasm.
If new firms start up here, and new people move here, how will that how will that “chase people out of the island”?
Explain why?
Perhaps if you were educated and qualified to work in the fields needed by these companies, you’d be able to work for them and command a decent salary. However, I suspect you don’t have the necessary qualifications, just a bad attitude and the expectation that a job be handed to you on a silver platter.
mercy mercy me,, Don’t even know what to say to that.. If you find the time, will you answer me one question?? In the countries where some of these guest workers will be coming from, is 99% of the population made up of Accountants, Actuaries, Lawyers?? You mean to tell me that all of these individuals come from countries where everyone is a professional?? Wow, I guess I found a new place to visit.
Is that really what you think anyone has ever said?
When?
No, but what does that have to do anything? I don’t know what you’re getting at.
But let me ask you a question: what jobs do Bermudians want? There are a lot of comments about ‘jobs for Bermudians’, but then the same people get angry when the government tries to attract new businesses. So that leaves me to think that these people want the government to create more government jobs. Where will the money for that come from?
Two questions, then.
@dee, you should be “sighing ” in disbelief over how much of a Xenophobe you are??? Xenophobes such as yourself seriously lack the ability to understand the fact that this new legislation will only create opportunities for Bermudians to get jobs!!! You have been brainwashed by your col burch and the rest of the Plp tunnel vision policies, hopefully one day you will realize the fact that many Bermudians became unemployed because of your plp chasing the IB sector out of here!!!!!
Well done Min Fahy and the OBA for putting these types of policies in place as it will only help all of us in the future whether the plp and their supporters like it or not!!!!!!
kangoocar I know of many Bermudians with university education who could not find work in Bermuda
the oba does not seem to understand the people yet they are constantly taking bs to people
time for them to be gone
Then ‘rise up’ Frank and cause some civil unrest since that’s all you seem to advocate on this site.
And when the dust settles from your ‘rising up’ and you can see that all you have achieved is pushing more businesses out the door and pushing unemployment up even further then you can boldly claim that you were part of such ignorance.
Point being is that businesses seem to like stable jurisdictions and tend to stay away from unpredictable and violent regions.
So go on and ‘rise up.’
ooh, a university degree? why isn’t that person leading RenRe then?? are they actuaries, accountants, lawyers etc? unlikely
Unfortunately, a lot of Bermudians bought into the lie that they could get a life on easy street with an unrealistically huge salary and fancy vacations just by going off to some 8th tier school in the US to get an associate’s degree in sometimes showing up to class.
Yes Bermudians need to work. Having poilices like this in place allows more opportunity/positions for Bermudaians to find a place to work. Wow – you certainly can’t see the big picture can you.
Well let’s wait and see.
New Business Permit…as long as a new business is coming into Bermuda to set up stays under 10 employees, they do not require work permits for the first six months. But how does the government collect tax revenue (work permit fees) and/or monitor the job change movements of any of the 10 employees?
New Global Entrepreneur Work Permit…1)is there a financial benchmark of how much funding the foreign entrepreneur must demonstrate to have in both the business and in reserve; 2)it is so simple to set up a business, but how much capitalisation must the business have; 3)how much of that business must be directly owned by entrepreneur, 30%, 60%, 100%; 4) will the entrepreneur be allowed to seek funding on the island for their new business venture as a part of their ‘business planning’ and; 5) is this just for a single individual in a new startup or does it include entrepreneurial partnerships as well?
The answers to these questions interest foreign entrepreneurs.
Some of that is covered in the document.
Re: New Business Permit. You asked how does the Government collect tax revenue? Payroll tax on the new resident workers.
How do you think they get a new business permit?
Ridilculous question, really.
Personally I think he raised some very good points..
Well he didn’t.
No changes to the current work permit categories then?
new work opportunities for Bermudians.
prior to the mass exodus of the foreign workforce at the hands of mismanaged policies, many of us out of work actually were gainfully employed, with pension contributions and health insurance.
Let’s give this a chance instead of revving up the rhetoric shall we?
Stop parroting this lie. Net of the PLP term there were more jobs bought to the island than ones that left. They caused us huge debt but did not cause the bottom to fall out the day the dow plunged 777 and the ensuing contraction of the global economy as a result.
They made IB feel unwelcome. It is common knowledge. When the recession hit, IB had less of a reason to stay.
Ah. The worldwide recession myth again.
so, there wasn’t a worldwide recession in just about every country apart from the larger manufacturing countries, i.e. Chine??
The recession was over in 12-15 months in almost all countries. Ii is part of history. Here, we are still grappling with it. Here, it has been 6 years and counting. It was a self-made Bermudian economic disaster.
This is true… however, keep in mind thought that what happens elsewhere is delayed here. So we entered the recession later that other countries and will naturally pull out behind them as well. Their contractions affected ours… as will their now expansion affect ours… if we are an attractive market.
Yeah…and all of out trading partners and similar sized economies recorded negative GDP growth for one year and have been slowly growing since.
BDA on the other hand has just recorded its 5th consecutive year of economic contraction.
Why is that?
And NO the so called ‘global recession’ did not cause Government finances to be in the shape they are in today. If you would like me to elaborate I will do so.
The huge debt was caused by increasing spending by $500 million between 2005 and 2011. Get your facts right.
Perhaps jobs were created. The majority of those were gov jobs. Anyone that understands economics knows that creating gov jobs is a false positive. Gov jobs by nature (in all countries) are inefficient. The gov essentially operates at a loss. There is no economic stimulation in creating gov jobs. So yes it looks lovely on paper that jobs were created but in the end it does nothing for the economy.
Fair enough, but I do have a few concerns, and dear I say, with the manner in which the present government has backtracked on so many of their former promises and initiatives excuse me if I remain somewhat suspicious.
The PLP broke promises left right and centre. While throwing Bermudians out of work.
this is just another way to not employ Bermudians
the islands to the south don’t act like this
this government has shown over and over that they don’t care about us
time for people to rise up
Which governments to the south?
Did they act like the PLP? I doubt it.
OK, go on then, Rise up and Start your own business to employ Bermudians…good idea, what you been waiting for….
Waiting
Most of the islands to the south have a booming tourism product. We dont. Have a herb tea and think about it..
If we worked for $7 an hour we’d have a booming tourism product too. We can do better on international business.
Most islands down south also have commercial immigration.
All islands down south do not have the sophisticated economy as BDA nor her massive middle class.
frank….please get a clue about how our economy works. If you prefer to have an economy like Jamaica or Haiti, by all means move there….fast
If by rise up you mean to go out and apply for a job, then fine!
Why do you expect the government to hand everything to you? Or right, i forgot this was par for the course under the PLP!
Another threat. When democracy is inconvenient, get the thugs to threaten violence.
A balanced approach to a difficult problem. The solution will not happen overnight, but good to see that the ball is rolling.
These are great ideas my only concern is that they guarantee more foreign workers and do not guarantee more jobs for Bermudians. While I completely believe Bermuda is sunk without more residence(i.e foreign workers) I also believe there should be something where Bermudian jobs are guaranteed.
You start with the premise that Bermuda is sunk without more foreign workers.
If you believe that the policy is necessary. Period.
You do not save a country by marginalizing its people. PERIOD
No one is being marginalized. One action (that you state is necessary) leads to the results you state you desire.
We are not sunk without foreign workers… however, we would be sunk without external capital.
There is no “guarantee” of jobs for foreigners. Far from it.
There goes any transparency or openness in the immigration process.
There goes every opportunity for Bermudians to ascend to any managerial or executive positions. These are all about jobs for non Bermudians.
This government has SOLD US OUT.
PLP mouthpiece, was that the best you could do !!!
Listen mate if you start a business you can be a manager or an executive of anything you want!
In addition to this policy government needs to ensure that every Bermudian leaves school with a basic understanding of economics: that will mean that when they do something sensible to stimulate the economy there won’t be so many fools trying to topple their policy before it’s had a chance to work!
Seriously! I was getting annoyed that every other comment brought up the same issues and saying it would only benefit foreigners and not Bermudians etc. READ THE DAMN ARTICLE PEOPLE! It explain it so clearly!
Great fix the minimum ARV for foriegn purchasing homes and I will sell my home at an over blown price and travel and live in Europe. Thanks for the way out.
Where is the plan for BERMUDIAN jobs? everything is being done to encourage guest workers, and yes we need them as well, but I hear absolutely nothing about Bermudian workers.
That’s because this announcement is about work permit policy, and Bermudians don’t need work permits.
FFS read the article or can you not understand economics??
@watching. The only jobs a Government can create are Government jobs. The PLP was very good at that, and their success is why Bermuda is in the financial crisis it is in. There are too many Government jobs/workers and not enough private sector jobs to pay the taxes. The announcement today is to help put in place the encouragement to create the private sector jobs. All Government workers in particular should be overjoyed.
Thank you Mr. Faye for having the guts to take a stance and put through a policy that will continue your good work of turning this country around. Let’s just hope that the naysayers are drowned out by our basic economic need of an influx of new captial to the island to get our economy working again. You now need to hit the publicity circuit to make sure the facts get out and don’t get drowned out by lies and political manipulation. Publicity means: writing an opinion piece in both the Royal Gazzette and Bernews, an interview/Q&A on the both the Sherry J and Everett Da Costa show and then have 2 town hall meetings on each end of the island. That is whay the OBA needs to start doing on a regular basis whenever a new policy is released if they want to get re-elected
Today is Oct 1. Let’s see how many job opportunities will be created for BERMUDIANS’s via brining in non-Bermudians. Let check back in 6 months. Why do outsiders need to come and create jobs???? Are we not capable of CREATING jobs…for Bermudians by Bermudians???
Sure, create a product or service, commit some capital and do it.
Just do it. Bermudians – I call on you to create jobs! If enough jobs could be produced locally by Bermudians, we would have them by now.
If thatis the case then why do we have unemployment in the first place?
Our economy needs foreign currency to survive as we do not produce a thing and purchase all of our goods from overseas. Try and take your BD$ outside of the island to purchase these goods we consume. Everyone will laugh at you and tell you to come back with real $$$.
I wish the Government would hold a town hall meeting to explain exactly how our economy functions and survives off of foreign currency earnings.
Because nothing happens in a vacuum… we need capital from other places to help grow our economy. Making Bermuda attractive to foreign investors means that there will be more capital and more opportunities for Bermudians to also start businesses and create jobs. The two go hand in hand.
have to smile at the comments. You could take every expat/foreigner off this island and you all still would find something to complain about. This Govt just can’t win. How about looking back and seeing why we r in this mess in the first place…
Its called economic disadvantage beginning with slavery. Oh snap you only wanted to look back as far as the PLP right?
Whites are playing with a stacked deck. Walking around like the gains they enjoy to this day were not ill-begotten.
Don’t you get it? This policy is about making Bermuda competitive in the world market. Entrepreneurs and investors from the rest of the world couldn’t care less about historical injustices on this island. All that they care about when they look at Bermuda is whether it is going to be the most conducive jurisdiction for their business’s success. Attract them and Bermuda will benefit. That’s it. Carry on naval gazing and the opportunities will stroll right by!
you need to get over your victim complex and move forward, you only have yourself to blame if you can’t make it in todays world.
Keep believing that you are disadvantaged and you always will be.
Why not look forward instead and see if it actually works for working Bermudians.
Well done for trying to create an environment where Bermuda will grow.
We need to think outside the box and be creative. This policy seeks to do just that.
As a Bermudian that used to employ over 40 local staff in 5 companies (I only employ Bermudians) and now has less than 23, it is the guest workers that have left in droves that stopped spending money in my businesses that forced me to reduce my Bermudian staff.
We need more foreigners living and working in Bermuda to create jobs for us…period. Grow the resident population and jobs for us grow as well. Its simply is not complicated.
@stephen, unfortantley there are those that just will never get what you are saying??? I put it down to blind allegiance to the plp who’s only success was in brainwashing their dwindling support base!!! Those left supporting that party are the ones that will never get it!!! It is to late for them!!!
All of you that are complaining about this Policy, why don’t you open up your own business and hire Bermudians?
Too much red tape…
You mean too much work?
No I meant exactly what I said.
Then how did all these Bermudian small businesses start?
Like I said, for you, it is too much work. Bitching, moaning and blaming other’s for your ills and demanding Government provide you with life’s basic necessities is all you have time for.
Much easier to type on Bernews then taking the initiative to open your own business I guess.
If it is too much for you then you should try the BEDC as they are more than happy to assist with your small business needs. Below is a recent article on their services offered to entrepreneurs. Strange that you didn’t feel the need to comment on this. Strange indeed. Hope it’s not too much work for you to read it or that it cuts into your perpetual complaining schedule:
http://bernews.com/2014/09/opinion-bedcs-small-business-assistance/
Freinds and family. All or most of these said businesses are only successful through the blood sweat and tears of the workers bermudian or otherwise. These are the people making these businesses exist, doing all the hard work and dirty jobs, wihout them you would be nothing.
Meanwhile every effort is made to iron out all the kinks and remove red tape for forign business to flourish, bermudian businesses are on their own. In particular small business.
What? You said it is too much red tape to open a business, and I responded by saying then how did the umpteen number of Bermudians who started their own companies do it?
They put in the effort to have it set up and risked their own capital and time to do so. So again what is stopping you from opening a business? Teh answer is your attitude.
And if the entrepreneur never took the risks of openign a business the workers (you say cause the success) would never of had a chance of being employed. A worker can change jobs at the drop of a hat. The entrepreneur who put up their own capital and took all the risks in opening a business and providing employment to the worker syou speak of doesn’t have that luxury.
You know what just go back to whining and expecting Government and others to provide for you and yours. That is about the extent of your so called ‘intellectual’ rebuttals anyways.
I personally would hate to be so reliant on Government to ensure my life can be considered successful. But then again I strongly believe in personal responsibility and determining one’s own route in life and as such we will never agree.
And I answered your question…freinds and family.
You have no idea what I do for a living, and never once did I request anything from gov.
So you can speculate all you like and tout the achievements of entrepreneurs like a badge of honor.
Furthermore tell yourself to go back to your life and don’t respond to my posts. Simple.
Return to your fairy tale existence with blind faith that the oba will make everything ok.
Hypocrite!
@ Dontworry….
Exactly!!! That wont happen though as too many demand that it be done for them, pathetic.
A friend of mine who runs a business in Bermuda cannot find enough qualified Bermudians to do the work. Some who have been hired, don’t bother to show up, or are unwilling to do the work assigned to them.
@bdaboy, I totally agree!!! I had to let go 2 Bermudians this summer because they seem to suffer from the bermuda flu twice a month on a Monday???, I can only assume they had not felt enough pain yet??? I only have Bermudian staff and if their replacements don’t work out, I will for the first time bring in foreigners to do the work because I truly can’t take it it anymore!!! The day has long past for Bermudians to continue to think that they are entitled??? With technology the world has become a much smaller place and they need to learn that!!!
I would like to thank all the plp/alaska team for all the dislikes they graced me with, the truth stings them like nothing else!!!! Get over it you lot, because I am the one that took the chance in life and started a now successful business, I will never let poor work performance by locals get in the way of my success!!!!
@ Kangoocar,
I think you meant poor work performance by anyone… but your point is well made. I’d give you a like but it seems my quota of likes/dislikes (6) per week has been used up.
@gilbert, thanks and you are correct, I should have said by anyone!
Dislike all you want, but the fact is there are Bermudians who give others a bad name. I had never seen colleagues call in sick so frequently until I came to Bermuda. I also had never heard a colleague say “I ain’t doing that” until I came here. I also had never seen colleagues leave at 5:00 on the dot, regardless of whether their work is complete, until I came here.
I am not painting all Bermudians with the same brush as I also work with many talented and dedicated Bermudians who have commendable work ethic. But you can’t deny that there are many entitled Bermudians out there who think they should be paid a living wage by birth right.
This Minister is tough!
Like the majority of posters I will rub my hands gleefully at the prospects of untold riches , full employment of Bermudians , spouses of Bermudians , PRC’s and children of work permit holders . May every apartment big and small be rented for far more than its worth , may every house put on the market be sold to anybody who could afford to pay the asking price as the cost of real estate goes through the roof .
May Bermuda once again contemplate how to manage congestion on our roads and parking in Hamilton becomes a premium for motor scooters , push bikes , horses and cars . I wish for a time where every private school is over subscribed and nursery schools are turning little babies away . Oh I wish again for those days once lived under the PLP , maybe just maybe we will once again reach those dizzying heights under this gravity defying UBP/OBA government .
I have every confidence that this work permit draft legislation when passed will take us there and beyond . But if it doesn’t , there will be hell to pay when the polls open again !
Pray tell Coffee/Christpher F what do YOU recommend government do to solve our current unemployment that doesn’t involve an increase in foreign capital to the island? Borrow funds from our under funded pension plans to set up a job creation plan so we can all set businesses and then hire each other and trade dollars? Any other foreigner free employment ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Every tax dollar raised keeps a government worker employed a bit longer. Think about it Coffee, while you sit there in your underwear looking at your computer screen.
This fits perfectly with the oba plans for privitization, and their new found intrest in collecting unpaid pensions from bermudian companies.
“Move over bacon, here comes something meatier. “
This Minister is the biggest issue I have ever seen in Government and it is so dumb that lot of you “so call intelligent and educated” Bermudians can’t see it. Follow his footprint and study the leopard because he can’t change his spots. Everything he does is never in favor of the Bermudian and you say hooray.
This place is going down the toilet as quick as he can write policies. I feel so sorry for whatever becomes of the future generations of this 21 square mile foreign owned, foreign bought island in the Atlantic. Kiss your heritage good bye if you already haven’t done so. Sold out for a nickel and a dime. Politics is killing this paradise – one month at a time. We should rename this place “FORMUDA” it was once BERMUDA now it is all FOREIGN OWNED.
Follow the yellow brick road and march to the tune of this man and you will be forever in crap. Your descendants are being stamped on and you applaud … “YEH – thanks you will save us”. What fools !!! Wake up !!! None of what he is saying is good.
“None of what he is saying is good.”
Why?
PS: We have been ‘foreign owned’ the day the PLP issued Bermuda’s first international bond and permitted the sale of Bank of Bermuda to HSBC.
Guess you would rather be broke and unemployed just to keep out those nasty ‘foeigners huh?
Is there any justifiable or acceptable reasons other than self gratification for referring to people with uncomplimentary titles laced with insulting derogatory rhetoric, forgetting the fact that we live in a glass house in a global economy.
“Name calling” exhibits immaturity an uncomplimentary and a disrespectful practice which shows complete lack of and inability to convey a point of view with the introduction of slander.
I think the point here is to bring ppl in yes but to also generate money in Bermuda.
I am 45 years old.
Have 2 children, 16 and 5; one in private, the other public.
Recently divorced.
Very well educated with good job, excellent benefits.
Poor promotion prospects as I am already fairly senior, with 2 permits above me.
I am a black Bermudian raised to think that my birthright and colour is not a handicap. Hard work, a sound education and a commitment to excellence was my passport to security and prosperity in my country of birth.
I’ve been thinking of relocating with my 2 kids to the UK.
Today’s announcement sealed the decision for me.
Bermuda is on a dangerous road. Very dangerous. Its not about us anymore.
Good thing you wont need a work permit or be subject to term limits as an expat.
LOL best response ever.
Either do the foriegners spoken of in the above article…keep trying.
How ironic.
Go to the UK. Let us know what it’s like in a place where businesses can set up and hire the best people they can find.
Impressive, stop being so gullible. We’re all in this mess right now because of Xenophobic PLP policies. Why has the rest of the world recovered and we’re not. Because someone killed the golden goose.
I am 45 years old.
Have 2 children, 16 and 5; one in private, the other public.
Recently divorced.
Very well educated with good job, excellent benefits.
Excellent promotion prospects as I have an excellent review record, with 2 permits above me.
I am a black Bermudian raised to think that my birthright and colour is not a handicap. Hard work, a sound education and a commitment to excellence was my passport to security and prosperity in my country of birth.
I had been thinking of relocating with my 2 kids to the UK.
Today’s announcement sealed the decision for me.
My senior managers are extremely positive about the prospects here in Bermuda and have already started to plan accordingly.
I have been informed that we need educated and motivated Bermudians in leadership positions and have accepted a new role in the organization that comes with an increased benefits package.
Bermuda was on a dangerous road. Very dangerous. Finally we have a government that sees it is not only about us, and is taking a balanced approach to getting us back on track.
see what i did thar?
You changed my reality to suit your agenda
My seniors have said no such thing. You see they are not really interested in me. I’m an experiment that worked out well. But in this environment where neither have any ties to Bermuda, one goes “home” every weekend and both maintain full lifestyles outside of Bermuda, my security is unimportant in the scheme of things. So I’m at a level and age where firms can have a BEV doing any mid level function for an extended time. So my transferability is suspect. I don’t do rugby or friday night drinks. Been there. Done that. So what say you?
If the PLP had gotten their independence dream from the UK, you’d have absolutely no chance of relocating there.
@Brain Drain says: “I’ve been thinking of relocating with my 2 kids to the UK. Today’s announcement sealed the decision for me.”
Hope you enjoy the high cost of living and paying out a substantial amount of dosh for personal income taxes in the UK.
@Nick…
OBA supporters are the town criers that PLP ruin the economy, yet OBA is slowly reducing and draining the government tax base when it closes out categories that they can collect taxes without raising taxes on everyone else.
So, the government circumvents work permit fees thereby eliminating a tax based revenue from being collected. Small matters? Take a critical look at how many revenue collecting ministries are collecting less taxes. I thought the government critically needed to pay down and eliminate our debt – guess I am mistaken.
And the question has two parts, work permits monitor who, where, what company, how long and position held. How will this now be monitored, by supplying volunteer information from the company? Because as soon as a New Business Permit holder comes into the island s/he has nothing stopping them from starting work immediately.
@hmmm…Provide the evidence in the document. If you can provide me with clarity and transparency, please be of assistance.
And if some-one can answer my questions on Global Entrepreneur Work Permit, I will be enlightened and appreciative.
OBA supporters, rather than defend and deflect, take an objective critical review of this document, and ask questions, it leads to a stronger and airtight working policy that cannot be abused by those who exploit the loopholes and sideline those who should be given the opportunities based on merit.
I thought the objective of this government and its OBA supporters was to support and protect the welfare of all its citizens, and I guess I am again sadly mistaken.
I woke early, did my 15 minutes of Bible reading, then turned to reading the Work Permit Draft, as I read, I was unable to fully focus, because my mind kept going back to how the pieces fit so perfectly into the OBA’s privatization plan. The two documents has to be read as one to fully understand them.
Imv, the the oba plan is to replace public workers, who by in large are Bermudians, with foreigners. My question is, what is the plan for Bermudian.
In the same way the the PLP privatised TCD?
I now understand why so many Bermudians are under employed, they’re stupid.
This is a BAD DAY for BERMUDA. Your politicians are selling you out everyday. Glad to have already relocated to the UK. Maybe I will come back as a foreigners and buy the whole damn island.
Bermuda was sold out a long time ago by the PLP…to foreign bankers. Now we’re all left to fight over the scraps and bend over backwards to try and re-attract business to the island so that we can start paying off the massive debt we’ve been left with. What part of trying to get Bermudians working again is selling us out?
What?
You moved to the UK to take a job from a “real” English person. With so much unemployment in the UK, they now have foreigners moving their to take even more jobs from the locals. I bet you’re even saving all you can or sending money home instead of spendng it to help the local UK economy.
oops… spelling ‘their’ should be ‘there’.
@Creamy
Foreign companies come to the UK and set-up then send their profits to trusts in Bermuda via Ireland. It’s call tax avoidance.
Yeah, that’s how they can hire the BEST people they can find by paying very little taxes in the UK.
Government. Do me a favour and get rid of these letter size work permits. My passport is alreaady on your system or issue a card, the size of my debot card. I see no reason for this not being done
Working hard I see.
Thank you OBA for trying to get our economy going again after the last Administration’s “RACIAL” policies.
It would appear that the economy does not work when they all LOOK LIKE US.
New York State,a new Business can start up there with (10) ten years “TAX- FREE” like no TAXES at all.
For the Bermuda Employment Visa (BEV), this so called ‘accredited’ process is nothing but a smoke screen to give the appearance that Bermudians will be the focus. All of these new ‘categories’ of work permits are going to create the most convoluted system of employment red tape in the history of…red tapeness! In some way or another these ‘accredited’ companies will be given carte blanche hiring to foreigners at least in the first 6 months? Does that apply to all position levels, even admin?? This is so crazy. Only in Bermuda do we allow this! How is this not a smack in the face to ALL Bermudians, black AND white? Section 3.2 states that 20% of the total Bdian workforce is the number they give as a ceiling that can escape advertising the position. That’s about 7K or 8K persons whose positions do not have to be advertised one lick! This opens up MANY windows for further exploitation to keep out Bermudians, especially black Bermudians. Yes, let’s be real, the white Bermudians have always fared better. Are these persons coming to work here without a permit vetted properly? I don’t see that in this document. How do we know what their backgrounds are? They could be terrorists thanking Bermuda and Allah for allowing them to set up shop or cells here undetected. Imagine going to the US as a foreigner and working legally without a work permit or being vetted properly? This will never happen there nor in other countries. Sheer madness. Once again, this all comes down to control to hire who they want and get away from hiring Bermudians especially in top positions. If these companies had their way, no Bermudians will be hired and they do try, trust me! Some are good don’t get me wrong, but many wish they did not have to.
I don’t care how you slice and dice it, this duck still quacks the same from so-called ‘Bermudianization’ affirmative action type policies from decades ago that still disenfranchised Bermudians with large disparities in income, no housing allowances, etc. This will now be much worse. These companies will continue to circumvent the system to hire and keep their own no matter what policy is implemented. SMH!
The world s a global village now, its time most people realise this, all this bermuda this , foreigners this must come to an end. The best inheritance a parent can give a child is education. Most young mostly blacks should take education seriously enough to choose and study relevant professions and to avert all this fear to loose jobs. How on earth can an employer drive to white hill by the dangerous corner by maximart opposite the bus stop to town or other side to dockyard and employ them as underwriters. All those boys have the opportunity to better themselves but just choose not to. As long as we talk and not face the bull by its horns , more boys will loiter while us parents complain to the government until the end of the world. Smart parents push their kids to take relevant education seriously.
As you open up the floodgates of Bermuda for everyone to come there from all over the world with very little safeguards regarding health screening. So does the issues of health come with this greed for money. Bermuda is a beautiful destination and I have visited it many times. The thing I like mostly was the people. With Ebola scaring the crap out of us here in the USA, screen your expansion of the residents with more scrutiny NOT less. This is not a very wise political decision for Bermuda because the casualties of this work permit policies will be its people. Most likely through displacement through favoritism as well as the transmissions of all sorts of unknown diseases through the migration of people from all over the world who may have had no reason to come to Bermuda but only because its money is attractive for a better lifestyle. Don’t sell your health for wealth, it’s a bad decision. We are watching as you change the look of Bermuda, mainly – It’s people.
Dont bring your hatrage and segregative character to thi island, the topic is about work permits and not about diseases which you as a tourist could bring to the island as well. You are busy pointing africa while other 4 fingers are pointing you.
Huh!?