PLP Express Concern: Work Permit Application
[Updated] Shadow Immigration Minister Walton Brown is “expressing his grave concern over yet another aspect of immigration reform that is now apparent,” saying “this new policy dramatically widens the circle of abuse for unscrupulous employers and will no doubt further weaken employment opportunities for Bermudians.”
Mr. Brown said, “Unlike the previous policy, employers are now no longer required to submit
- [1] employment references
- [2] Police certificates
- [3] medical clearance certificates
- [4] character references and, most surprisingly, not even
- [5] the actual qualifications of the prospective employee, when applying for a work permit.”
Mr Brown adds, “The form, located online [top of page 10], says in reference to this information that while the employer must collect it they are instructed “do not submit with application.”
Screenshot of the top of page 10 of the form:
“This new policy dramatically widens the circle of abuse for unscrupulous employers and will no doubt further weaken employment opportunities for Bermudians,” continued Mr Brown.
“It is difficult to understand why the OBA government and Minister Fahy would adopt such a policy when there is clear evidence of employer abuse.
“We call on Minister Fahy to revert to the previous policy to ensure there is both integrity and fairness in the work permit application process.”
“This is yet another policy that shows the anti-Bermudian bias of Immigration Minister Michael Fahy and the Dunkley Administration,” added Mr Brown.
The Global Entrepreneur Work Permit Application form follows below [PDF here]:
Update 6.59pm: Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said, “The details of the application form have been in the public domain throughout the entire work permit consultation process, which began in June 2014, and were agreed upon by stakeholders.
“The application form requires a declaration that all information is correct. Mr. Brown’s attacks are groundless and show a lack of understanding of any of the work permit changes, especially considering that the forms have been online since 1st March.”
We will never get relief until we rid ourselves of this anti-Bermudian government and it’s minister of foreign employment procurement.
Too bad we in Bermuda are soft because anywhere else ………………………………..
Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said, “The details of the application form have been in the public domain throughout the entire work permit consultation process, which began in June 2014, and were agreed upon by stakeholders.
“The application form requires a declaration that all information is correct. Mr. Brown’s attacks are groundless and show a lack of understanding of any of the work permit changes, especially considering that the forms have been online since 1st March.”
Right b/c everyone I completely honest at all times right….. and would openly admit to criminalities etc…. right …… ???
This govt is blatantly looking to displace Bermudians … I am tired of their non-Bermudian policies…. when is the next election ???????
As opposed to the PLP’s ‘Bermudians first’ policies that left thousands of Bermudians unemployed? This places a large amount of liability directly onto the employers, and does not mean in anyway that immigration won’t look at the background paperwork. It means the employer will have to produce upon request, should immigration feels that the application vetting requires it.
So you think the govt can do a better job at making sure applicants are honest??
Yeah the government is blatantly looking to displace Bermudians. you MUST be smoking dope if you truly believe that!
Note: Shadow Immigration Minister Walton Brown is “expressing his grave concern over yet another aspect of immigration reform that is now apparent,” saying “this new policy dramatically widens the circle of abuse for unscrupulous employers and will no doubt further weaken employment opportunities for Bermudians.
Before we go too much further, where would someone like Reverend Tweed(and others)fit into your statement reference to depriving Bermudians of jobs?
Dear JC. You do realise that they still have to get a police certificate don’t you?
But Alvin Please explain how this policy is non Bermudian? How would you like a future PLP government to change work permit policy?
So wait… a government, of Bermudians, is… AGAINST themselves? please explain further
It is the same short sighted belief that the PLP followed that led to the unemployment of thousands of Bermudians
In a short sighted view, you are correct, but in truth, what this means is that while an employer isn’t required to submit these background docs, they required to have them, such that as the work permit is being vetted, immigration can request the docs should they feel they are required for permit approval. This reduces the paperwork for the initial application and should the employer fail to produce the documentation upon request, then you know employer is trying to cheat and the work permit will be disqualified. Do I wholeheartedly agree with this approach, not really… do I feel this is anti-Bermudian, no, and it is certainly far less so than most of the core policies the PLP implemented in their short sighted governance, and still believe in today.
And they can destroy a Bermudian business because of foreigners.
Wow Alvin, 158 dislikes and counting… impressive!
Wow so a teaboy/photocopy assistant at Lloyds or a Syndicate who is only a technical assistant can (even more easily now) come in to Bermuda and be a Underwriter.
Fabulous
Give me my rent allowance
No they can’t they would still have to be specifically qualified for the job over a Bermudian applying for the same position. Which wouldn’t happen because this is for the ‘Global Entrepeneur’ work permit where individuals are bringing wealth and a business into Bermuda.
@ Future Alliance
Which makes them better qualified than 99% of Bermudians.
Sarah your comment is Stupid.
It appears however that is the prevailing sentiment among non-Bermudians.
Agreed. Workshy. Not frightened of taking sick days due to sense of entitlement, rather than actually being sick. Love a couple of hours at lunch “running errands”. That’s the feeling.
99%? I think that statistically makes you a moron.
Yes people! These goons like sarah exist…
Your disrespect to the many qualified and professional Bermudians is duly noted and disregarded as being relevant to the issue.
What’s disgusting is that several ‘contributors’ saw fit to agree with that unwise and unhelpful comment.
Or maybe more than a grain of truth?
You would have had to have worked elsewhere to have the requisite perspective to comment credibly of course.
Have you?
Yes, I have
@Sarah – any wonder why there is so much tension between Bermudians and expats?
Stupid generalizations like that serve zero purpose, especially during a time of historic unemployment figures. Unless your goal is to be a troll… but I’m sure your boss wouldn’t appreciate you wasting company time and resources being a troll when he is running low on coffee and his dry cleaning needs to be picked up. Hop to it Sarah.
Bit rude Sarah! Had a bad day? Lashing out?
Yes, becuase ther are thousands of photocopier assistants looking to become hired as underwriters in Bermuda… seriously, how many companies are going to hire a photocopier assistant straight in as an underwriter. A company that wants to be successful, is going to hire someone who is qualified for the job they need to fill, and it could be they were interning doing photocopying, but in your notion, there is no business that is going to hire someone who isn’t qualified, thus negating your flimsy hypothetical.
When will we get relief from Alvin’s rambling nonsense?
I guess you already filled yours out.
I don’t need a work permit. What form should I be filling out?
Stop being so hystorical. Go and read the actual new work permit policy from section 3.2. A lot of your fears will be alieved. No tea boys will be losing jobs.
The PLP already handed out WP’s for those jobs, under their watch
This change makes ABSOLUTELY no difference because there was never a Yes /No associated with the gathering of this information.
If someone is bringing a business into Bermuda (you know that’s how we make those dollars that pay off the PLP debt). Who gives a flying fluke what their qualifications are?
That’s a bit extreme. We still need to govern ourselves accordingly.
What rubbish. Your comment doesn’t make sense. I can name several billionaires with few qualifications and maybe the odd adolescent teenage indiscretion who have succeeded and built enormous companies which Bermuda NEEDS.
Where as you may turn them away?????
If you have any proof of an actual fraudulent work permit application then report it.
Otherwise you are just blowing hot air.
I did and the minister took the side of the oba employer!
Maybe Walton times would be better spent on educating Bermudians on the importance of having a clean police record along with the ability to pass a drug test!!! I recently advertised for three days with a good size ad for an experienced trade person, but clearly stated ” WILLING TO TRANE ” the right applicant with a good attitude blah blah blah!!! At the bottom of the ad, I stated a police back ground check and drug test will be required. Guess how many applicants I got out of the 4000 un employed Bermudians I got??? 4 was the total and one of them was an applicant from Sri Lanka??? So really it was 3 ??? Give me a break!!! I will only start to feel compassion for Bermudians when they start helping themselves!!! Thankfully out of the 3 one was a spouse of a Bermudian that had recently moved here and I hired him!!! and guess what??? He passed the tests I required!!!!!
Who would want to work for a idiot like You anyway? People saw your ad, did the research, and decided they didnt want to work for you. #Lookatyourself
One thing the types like you prove everyday is this, the truth stings you lot more than anything???
“Willing To Trane” and Bermudians are uneducated??
And you have never made an error typing before??? And also sorry to disappoint you but I am Bermudian!!!!,
And so you hired — a non-Bermudian???
Hello!… this dude is so full of it…
You trane him right guy.
Your standards are higher than those required of our elected and appointed representatives.
Actually, I seriously doubt there are 4,000 unemployed. I wonder where the number comes from. Not that it changes your point.
Let’s start to count there are 3 unemployed in my household…..
Get off your a****, jobs don’t magically come to you. If you need more school go get another degree. Aink that hard bra…stop sulking and waiting for it to drop into your lap!
Stereotyping again?
Can I ask an honest question? I know several restaurants that are hiring wait staff and willing to train. Is this something you have looked into? If I couldn’t find a job in my field, I would certainly wait tables. I would have no problem taking a paycut to at least partially make ends meet. How about your situation?
@ Sare. It’s so true, if one wishes to make “ends meet” then there are times when they must take a pay cut. I see too many of my countrymen / women having limited education refusing jobs they view as menial and choose to seek Government financial assistance
(How do “they” that don’t have a pot to piss into nor window to toss it out of find so much to complain about? Inquisitive minds would like to know)
Can Walton not read or is the comprehension part that causes him problems?
This is the Global Entrepreneur Application we are dealing with. Per the media “A new Global Entrepreneur Work Permit will allow entrepreneurs looking to start up a business in Bermuda to obtain a work permit — and the right of residency on the Island — while they are setting up their business.”
So they’re coming here to start a business. A business that doesn’t exist yet. If there’s no business, there’s no job. How does bringing a new business to Bermuda weaken employment opportunities for Bermudians?
“Willing to trane ” ?
No wonder he didn’t get many responses to his advert, with spelling like that … the Sri Lankan was probably eager to apply thinking the advertisement was written in correct English…just as a future reference the word is “train” okay Kangaroo !!! SMH
Typical idiot with a business.
Its funny hearing the PLP cry about anti-Bermudian polices from the OBA when the PLP were handing out scholarships to non-Bermudians over Bermudian students and giving away Bermudian status to their fresh off the boat friends.
No one will invest here – cost are too high, profits non-existent and too much government interference.
Work permit issues are the least of the impediments.
The profitable areas are reserved for the guardians of the status quo.
This ride to the bottom is not over yet.
This from a member of a party that let in 6-12 thousand blue collar workers and put us Bermudians out of work.
@ Not fooled: In’it dough?
I’d stated it not too long ago: “Your / our own fleas bite the hardest”
Kangaroocar stop that everyone that has read any of your posts will know you have no compassion for no one. You will always be alone and lonely. So you hired him but he will not work for you very long your true self will show up bitter and nasty smh when are you leaving Bermuda lol hahahahaha hurry up and leave.
I bet you Bermuda is not (Kangaroocar’s) real home!
He’s local. Don’t mix up his rantings with the OBA.
If anyone has had to fill out the ‘new’ Immigration forms they will understand the issue is not as Mr. Williams has stated. Employers must still have those supporting documents on file. The real problem lies with the fact that the new procedures are a nightmare to complete. I laugh out loud every time Minister Fahey touts the ‘business friendly’ atmosphere at Immigration. The only thing they have accomplished is to assure job security for the local HR community. And the Bermuda Job Board? Please just shoot me. The majority of the applicants from the Job Board are so incredibly unqualified their only contribution to the process is adding 10-15 pages of paper work to an already bloated application. It is easier to get a Green Card in the US.
Yeah I think you’re correct SMH
yea i posted an add for carpenters on bermuda job board and not one person responded go figure. opean the gates
Kangoocar is not going anywhere because he knows if he goes to another country he will than have to pay some real taxes.
The two of you are same sides of the bitter old coin.
This is about ousting Bermudians out of jobs, homes, etc. If you think this isn’t the case, just keeping on watching because we haven’t seen anything yet. Like I said before this government doesn’t care about us as a people nor as a country. We will see who will benefit from all these changes that this government is doing and I can assure you, it won’t be Bermudians.
Dear Sassy
This work permit is for global entrepreneurs who are bringing a business too Bermuda. They will be bringing their own dollars in and spending them here and maybe even employing Bermudians. Do YOU and Walton really NOT want these people here? Because if that is your policy we are in terrible trouble.
The fact that you indicate that you don’t want companies coming here on these boards is bad enough!
TO MR BROWN AND ALL OTHER SMALL MINDED PEOPLE,
Bermudians for JOB’s Bermudians for JOB’s
We have 11,300 work-permits issued I say again we have 11,300 work-permits issued.
Where are the BERMUDIANS to fill these 11,300 work-permit Job’s.
Without ÖNE THIRD”of our work-force being expat we would not have an ECCONOMY.
No HUGE GOVERMENT of 8,000 two years ago on a payroll of $750Million.
The progressive labor party are only interested in THEIR pocketbooks.
So I guess the BIGGER QUESTION is why did the PLP pass this in the house? Super confusing as talking about it now seems silly when they just voted in favor of it???
Who remembers the good old days of the late 80s early 90s when the country was in surplus and we were all earning a decent wage? Isn’t that why we voted the OBA back in? To return us to those heady days? Now I’m not saying they were perfect, far from it. Rents were out of control with IB paying massive rent allowances and school allowances and even electricity allowances for their anointed few. Although lets be honest, it was Bermudian landlords that were reaping the rewards and were living the life of Riley if you either had a spare apartment/garage/closet to stick an expat in or you could go live with a relative and rent out your house while you paid off your mortgage at record speed, so yeah, there was room for improvement. However I digress. The point is that this Country has to become affluent again before it can reintroduce the social programs required to support a diverse society. History shows us that the affluence does not come solely from Bermudians. In fact its the IB workers that appear to have the most cash liquidity which they spend on island on rents, bars, cleaners, nannies, dog walkers, restaurants and hobbies. Come to think of it, look at the number of politicians who have built homes outside of Bermuda – not exactly investing in their own country eh? My point is, the OBA is trying to attract more foreigners to invest in Bermuda. They in turn will employ more Bermudians. But you can’t employ more Bermudians until you have a business or an executive who needs them.
For those few who want Bermuda for Bermudians please think very carefully because the Bermuda you desire does not look anything like the affluence we are enjoying even in these hard times and your precious politicians who promised to save you will be sunning themselves on their porch off island
Let’s think a little logically for just a second. Why would the OBA be purposely trying to destroy Bermudians? How in the hell could they ever even think about getting re-elected if that were truly their goal? The majority of people had voted PLP for 14 years and the ONLY reason the OBA got elected is because disenchanted PLP members didn’t vote! Therefore, logic would say that if they want to get re-elected they wouldn’t purposely piss off the majority of voters! Does this make sense to anyone???