Minister Brown: ‘This Will Not Be Tolerated’
[Updated] Circumstances surrounding the loss of three jobs at Ascendant Group have resulted in various allegations being made, and the Ministry of Home Affairs launching an investigation.
Earlier this week, the Ascendant Group — which is the parent company of BELCO, Aircare, iFM, and iEPC – confirmed that three staff members were made redundant.
The company said the Marketing and Communications Department was “outsourced which will result in substantial cost savings to the company.”
Three staff and a total of five positions were made redundant, with two of the positions vacant at the time, and the Marketing and Communications functions were outsourced to a local Bermudian company, Ascendant said.
Subsequent to this, a message began circulating alleging that the company’s CEO wanted to hire a non-Bermudian as the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Corporate Communications, and after having the work permit declined as there were qualified Bermudians available, the CEO allegedly made the decision in relation to the marketing team.
Last night, a Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs learned last week that three Bermudians lost their jobs at the Ascendant Group. Earlier today a message was circulated on social media that alleges that Senior Management had retaliated to the refusal of a work permit by dismissing Bermudians.
“When the Department of Immigration learned about the redundancies last week, inquiries commenced into the actions on the company. The Department cannot speak to specific allegations until they have been completely investigated, however the Department will inform the public what action, if any, will be taken following the completion of its investigation.
“However the Department would like to clarify that the person named in the message was not issued a work permit, and does not have permission to work in Bermuda.
“Our records indicate that this individual is not in Bermuda, and if any member of the public has information about actions that contravene our immigration laws, they are encouraged to call the Immigration Department at 294-9240.”
Last night, the Minister of Home Affairs Walton Brown said, “I am dismayed at the egregious actions of this company. I must add that this government has zero tolerance for such actions.
“Last week we launched an investigation into this matter. In addition, there are other sanctions that have been imposed on the company that I will communicate to them directly tomorrow morning.
“I must also warn all companies that hold work permits and may be considering such action, that they must first inform the Ministry of Home Affairs and/ or the Department of Immigration prior to taking such action to inform us on the number of jobs being made redundant and what plans are being made for Bermudians.
“While there are a number of companies that have met with me when there are loss of jobs, it appears that others seem to take a cavalier attitude. This will not be tolerated and sanctions will be imposed.”
We have asked Ascendant for comment and will update as able.
Update 11.04am: While not a comment on this matter per se, approximately one hour ago BELCO posted an update on their social media which said, “NOTICE: As of 10am, BELCO cashiers will be closed until further notice, pending an emergency Union meeting. We’ll update you as soon as regular service is resumed.”
Then at around 10.40am, they updated the post, saying, “Regular service has now resumed. Thank-you for your patience.”
Update 12.35pm: In response, Ascendant Group told Bernews, “We understand from news reports that there may be an ongoing investigation and sanctions pending so we will not comment at this time.”
It is unclear if the company has officially been contacted by the Ministry yet, however we just asked the Ministry for further information and will continue to update as able.
Well done Minister. Fronting of any sort should never be tolerated. Perhaps next you could take a look at a certain Dockyard business and why there are so many foreigners serving customers while we few token Bermudians are thrown crumbs. Also, it seems that many of the cruise ship directors’s staff moonlight most of their days in this business too while the ships are in port. Do they have some sort of special deal and are exempted in some way. I noticed the little cruise ship train from the pier now stops directly in front of their door.
What restaurants have you been to (other than Wahoos) where you dont see “so many foreigners serving customers while we few token Bermudians are thrown crumbs”?
I believe the writer is talking about a certain retail establishment with an unusual arrangement with the cruise industry. As they are part of a larger Caribbean/Mexican/Alaskan tourist resort specialist chain, they evidently are experts at getting what they want – in this case the writer suggests to the detriment of many local competitors, especially Dockyard ones. In any event, two wrongs do not make a right and several questions beg – What business is this firm really in? Who permitted them to set up shop and how and why? Did anybody consider the effects of what I suppose might politely be called their business model would have on existing 100% Bermudian owned traders employing (Yes!)nearly 100% Bermudian staffs? Of course not: instead short term, opportunistic, shallow OBA/Bob Richards thinking prevailed and the largest employer sector in Bermuda (retail) was betrayed for the sake of pretending investment was happening and a few jobs being created. Well Done Minister Brown, Keep Up The Good Work, Hear! Hear!
He who has the most money and influence does what he wants, just look at America’s Pathatic Leadership.
Underserved privileged recipients have had an “above the law attitude” for centuries, so why is everyone acting surprised.
No it’s the morons who shout 25-11 who do what they want. Sexually harassing girsl in restaurants. Flying off to prayer breakfasts paid for by us. Asserting unearned privileges. Getting away with driving around Hamilton with a bike stuck to the window. Fighting at Cup Match. We all see it.
exactly! and don’t forget using the PEOPLE’s tax dollars to payoff a PLPer for his lost business! you can’t make this stuff up!
What is exactly above the law here? I’ll wait…..you can’t outsource?
I see the ‘above the law attitude’ in action every day all day here .
All I have to do is try to go for a drive or ride on the roads.
This where the OBA needs to support the PLP on this instead of worrying about breast milk which the minister likes.
Bermudian voters are waiting OBA Leader.
What exactly is wrong with hiring outside consultants to do work for you? Your 25-11 moron government does it all the time. But you idiots are too stupid to understand that.
..and they do it using tax payer money no less.
belco staff more bermudian percentage than most companies but they can’t outsource?
And they outsourced to a Bermudian company at that. Shame on them right!
Well, so much for the ability of businesses in Bermuda to make efficiencies by outsourcing … at least if the business wants any work permits!
This will end up hurting the outsourced Bermuda company’s business! What about them?
I wonder if the most Hon Walton Brown would have taken the same approach if this were a digital asset exchange.
LOL
Blessings abound!!
Bring on de Bitcoin and then fix our under funded pensions and the HUGE national debt overhang.
Get working PLP!
Brown “This will not be tolerated”
What will not be tolerated? Outsourcing? Or taking a business decision based on the outcome of an immigration decision?
This sounds like Belco took the back door approach. If her work permit was approved would these 3 have been made redundant? I think not. Too many Bermudians losing jobs to Canadians.
I love the Canadian hate everyone seems to have. Really, is it necessary?
The reality appears to be that a senior position permit was denied, Belco decided to take another direction. That’s really not the purview of Immigration or Walton Brown. Tough sh*t.
“I love the Canadian hate everyone seems to have. Really, is it necessary?”
Bermudians don’t mind using the Canadian Health Care system to save their babies though.
Really?!SMH. WOW!
Ditto..
Oh you had a spelling mistake. Canadians is suppose to be harder workers with better work ethics than most unemployed Bermudians. Just had to correct you on that. Carry on!
STFU idiot!! DO you realize they had qualified Bermudians that could do the JOB! The entire staff at Belco should down their tools and walk out.
Citation please. Otherwise, you’re merely speculating.
The bigger issue though, is that Immigration have stepped on their own d**ks. They are not qualified to determine what skill sets a particular role in a particular company looks like.
And next week the moron government and their idiot followers will complain that BELCO bills are too high as ask why the company doesn’t DO SOMETHING to cut costs.
Idiots.
At least the last expat out of Bermuda will not have to switch off the lights.
you win the internet today!
Hello….. people have been complaining about the belco bill.
And at some point you might finally realize that if Belco reduces its operating expenses it might be able to reduce its prices.
No, I take that back. It will never get through to you ignorant morons.
Haaaa! Hasn’t happened EVER in the history of BELCO. When was the last bill that went down?
CEO Durfy only has instructions to increase the size of the lining of the shareholders’ pockets…NEVER to reduce the customer’s bills. You must be joking!
that’s really smart …..everyone down tools and walk out and shut down Belco ….well that’s almost as stupid as voting them in 25-11 ………Bermuda for Bermudians …..the light is on but no one is home Imagine “it won’t be tolerated” what won’t be Brown baby you don’t run their business ….do you even run one yourself …..
Do we also have qualified BERMUDIAN AME ministers?
OMG
what do the Bermudians think ?
just to be a Bermudian is not a qualification for a job.
lets face it , the job market is a battlefield.
and only those who are skilled and ready to go the extra miles will be hired, regardless of race or nationality.
face it or suffer
to protect a regional job market like the Bermudian try to do it , will just lead in an uncompetitive situation and will costs much , much more jobs they can even think about .
Excellent. Canadians for Canadians..Americans for Americans. Trump shows that time and time again!!
Well, Bermudians for Bermudians. “THEY”will not come here , many with mediocre intelligence,and attempt to squeeze US out of jobs. UNITED WE WILL STAND!!
Thank you, Minister Brown. Eloquently spoken.
Who the heck do they think they are. Bermudians who are born here, tolerate non of their repeated Swartzenegger LIES!!
Mediocre intelligence sums up most bermudians perfectly actually.
CEO and President is Canadian
locals take back your island
We cannot take our island back until we ALL stand as one. There are many Bermudians that are in the “ back” pocket of the foreigner. Politicians included
Belco ought to be ashamed of itself. If her work permit was approved, would you have made these 3 Bermudians redundant. Saying you are outsourcing sounds like your plan B. I am sick and tired of Canadians coming to Bermuda and think they run the place. So many people out of work and you are adding to it.
How is it Belco’s fault that so many are out of work?
They couldn’t hire who they wanted so, you are right, they went for Plan B. Tough sh*t.
Perhaps direct your ire at Immigration.
‘Canadians coming to Bermuda and think they run the place’ ??
You mean Canadians (or any other nationality) coming to Bermuda to do the job they were hired to do, after receiving permits from the BERMUDA government. Permits applied for by BERMUDIAN employers.
Schadenfreude.
locals take back your island by any mean necessary
Sarcasm? I hope. Sad to say I can’t answer that myself. Brown needs to show a bit of composure.the truth is if he wanted more Bermudian jobs he would open up immigration. We can’t keep on indulging the “boogeyman foreigner” myth.
One house broken into at a time.
Minister Brown: ‘This Will Not Be Tolerated’
wonder if he tolerates titty milk?
If the oba/UBP was serving titty milk instead of the sour UBP milk they would be in charge today. LOLOLOL
Go find another leader for the next election the current UBP one is sleeping.
As are most of yours. Funny how the average plp supporter seems to miss that entirely. But that is in no way surprising. The voting base helped put them back in. Point proven by how hard theyve been burning you since they regained power but again, the voting base still love them for it. Ill ask you what i ask OJ all the time. How much better off are u now that they r back? Ill wait. Wont hold my breath tho. LOLOLOL!!!
So true OMG hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahhhahahahahahhahaha
There is no UBP, unfortunately it took the plp just over 30 years to tear them down with accusations that were largely unsubstantiated but appealed to the masses. It should be pointed out that the UBP was a very diverse group of intelligent people who always had Bermuda’s best interest at heart. In addition to the fine people whose reputations you seek to destroy under their stewardship this island always produced a balanced budget and earned a well deserved reputation on the world stage. It took the plp a few short years to put this place into an insurmountable amount of debt.
But OJ says they brought us 400 years of misery .. ?
So if the UBP was so diverse why did all the black Bermudian voters jump ship or flip flop to the PLP! Please tell us the truth!!!
Forget it we already know and that’s the same reason you tried to change the name.
Voting against their own best interests? Race? Easy manipulated?
Take your pick
@ Sandgrownan,
Voting against their own best interests? Race? Easy manipulated?
Take your pick
Bingo!! On point as usual.
I do not vote color I vote for what is best for this island and while the UBP and OBA are not without fault at least they had or have the best interest of Bermuda and ALL her people. The PLP have exhibited time and time again that they are at best incompetent and some would suggest something worse.
Stop and think about what a mess has been created in the last 20 years. We are in deep trouble. This island will not recover any time soon and the plp are leading us into a third world situation. If you do not understand basic economics and vote purely on emotion then we are F@#ked. Things will not get better for any Bermudian (black or white) if we allow this nasty divisive and self destructive politics to continue.
Please vote for good governance and in my opinion we do not have that with the plp. You should answer your own question because apparently I do not know why any Bermudian would vote plp.
Haaaa! Hasn’t happened EVER in the history of BELCO. When was the last bill that went down?
CEO Durfy only has instructions to increase the size of the lining of the shareholders’ pockets…NEVER to reduce the customer’s bills. You must be joking!
I would have to disagree with your statement that the UBP have always had Bemuda’s best interest at heart. Where do your children go to school? Are our schools largely segregated in 2018? This has been the downfall of Bermuda over the last 100 years and unfortunately cannot be fixed overnight. The UBP has never had Bermuda’s best interest at heart or they would have educated ALL of its people to a very high standard! Now we are in a complete mess!!!
Funny you mention education governments can spend all the money they want on public education. If you are hiring subpar teachers and administrators and you are not able to fire them for poor performance you are doomed to fail. Not my fault that unions and by extension plp have condemned our youth to a life of mediocraty. Plp have failed us and our children.
Correct we will tolerate my fellow Minister sexually harassing two women in public while away on Government business but a Bermudian company outsourcing to another Bermudian company, that’s where I draw the line. Seriously???
Thank you Minister Brown and your team the Department of Immigration.
It is not an issue of simply outsourcing to a Bermudian firm it is the appearance that this declined work permit applicant is working with BELCO either as a consultant or now working for the local firm – without a work permit.
Transparency is key to immigration opportunities for qualified Bermudian
Citation required.
What the Dept. of Imm. did was force an employer down a different route. It’s really none of their business once the permit was refused. The employer can run it’s business as it sees fit.
Reality is a you know what. These companies upon which we rely will simply move the jobs abroad unless all this xenophobic nonsense is stopped. We need more people on the island and less unnecessary regulations and incompetence. This government will not provide this and we will all suffer. We all need to wake up and rise up.
Poor Walton. First he’s obliged to appeal the SSM Supreme Court decisions, and now he goes all hair on fire because a company makes redundancies and contracts out the work. That has nothing to do with immigration. So a work permit was declined; a reorganization occurred as a result of the company not getting the required talent. That’s business.
Thank you.
People need to understand how the Companies Act(not the actual name) works. Any company registered in Bermuda must abide by the laws. It’s simple as that hence the minister is within his rights. I haven’t read the full Act, but whatever this is regarding I’m sure it’s there.
This is the type of ignorant crap that people walk around telling each other.
You haven’t read it and yet assert the Minister is correct? That’s a whole pile of stupid right there.
If you ever get around to reading it, there is nothing in The Companies Act 1981 that prevents a company from outsourcing work.
More to come. Once all the Smart Meters are installed, no need for the meter reading personnel.
I am sick of these people thinking they can take over Bermuda.
Too many Guest of this country want to make it their own.
At some point Bermudians will have to stand and move these people out.
They come here and dont care 1 bit about the country.
Could not even tell you how to get to St geo or Dockyard. They have no interest in Bermuda except to take as much currency out as they can.
ITS TIME FOR CHANGE.
oh pa….lesssssse!
throw them all out,I want to see how long Bermuda and cockaroaches like you would survive
Ya im sick of it too. The plp being the main culprits. And their muppet supporters who think they should get whatever they want for nothing. And im the priviledged one apparently lmao. Cannot make this stuff up. Keep pissing the big boys off in the private sector lol. They will just pack up and bounce and then “zero” bermudians will be employed as opposed to less than 10 in most cases.
Maybe you should set up camps where you can keep them all under guard until you work out how to get rid of them. Just an idea, in case you didn’t think of it.
funny. you could be talking about the plp in this Bermudians opinion. they want to take over the country and pay their old cronies for doing nothing. they don’t care 1 bit about our country but want to bleed us dry. ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE.
I totally agree.
So an investigation is underway but the Minster has decided to levy ‘punishment’ ahead of any findings and based only on allegations at this point. I’m not entirely sure what he thinks he can do anyway. Were any laws broken?
Some are saying be careful, IB won’t like the rhetoric. To be honest, I doubt they care.
IB has given up on this lot already. Downsizing has already started.
Yup. Too easy to relocate jobs/people so WB’s chest beating won’t really bother them. Luckily all those pn-island Fintech jobs will be snapped up by Bermudians.
Yup – and is gathering pace. I can tell factually that Immigration are an impediment to business and play fast and loose with their deliberations.
Time to make our own power. we can do for ourselves with out and power our lives without BELCO.
“Time to make our own power. we can do for ourselves with out and power our lives without BELCO.”
LOL, yes!…we can manufacture our own solar panels from limestone and lilies!
Maybe Goverment should take a page out of Ascendant’s book and hire experienced Bermudian consultants instead of foreign consultants which might free up some money for trash trucks, buses and education. I thought the government was insisting on BELCO reducing the cost of electricity?
Just goes to show, one expat hired can keep three Bermudians employed.
shut them down, can’t really figure whether your post was tongue in cheek or the dumbest one I have ever seen
I’m glad to see it’s not just me.
I believe all restaurants and business who have a high percentage of foreign staff should be interviewed or investigated as to the reasons why. By some sort of government entity.
Because there are not enough Bermudians willing to do the work to a sufficient standard. It’s simple.
It’s because Bermudians are too lazy to work in the F&B business….they want $50 an hour to wash dishes!
Let’s digest this “not enough Bermudians willing to do the work to a sufficient standard and Bermudians too lazy to work in the F&B business”! What a joke! But it will be a waste of time to give you Uhhh and Sandgrownan a history lesson in the work ethic of 98% of Bermudians over the years and in the hospitality industry. Continue on supporting fronting behavior and believing skewed lies that has kept many a guest worker on these shores!
It is my fervent wish that this Government will work hard to eradicate the fronting and lies!
We’ve all experienced Bermudian ‘work ethic’ in hospitality first hand. So we all know it’s bull sheet.
yeah right….Bermudian Service is an oxymoron with the emphasis on the moron
There is an agenda by the New World Order to eradicate all those born in Bermuda. So let that sink in for a minute.
There it is! I knew it would be here…the dumbest thing I’ve read all day
You’re right. As a “True, born Bermudian”, my government has made sure that I am not welcome in Bermuda. I’m gay and white.
Hence, I live in Canada, who benefits from my engineering degree and the taxes I pay, and I benefit by having a government that actually works for all
Just saying are you really that dumb WOW.
Sound business decision in my honest opinion.
Xenophobia is going to be Bermuda’s downfall. We have negative population growth. We need at least 5000 more people to stimulate the economy. Retail is dead. Think of the positive effect on increased tax dollar and pension contributions. A vibrant economy creates jobs. Guess what that equals more Bermudians employed. This is a business decision and not something Immigration should. E sticking its nose into.
Alaska Hall: Nothing rallies supporters like a good Immigration they’re taking our jobs story. Quick let’s make a big deal out of this in a press release to get people’s attention off Wayne Titty’s publically humiliating the entire country! If that doesn’t work, the do a press release about SSM and gays!
Really! Business decision that Immigration should not be sticking it’s nose into! Minister when any organization engages in actions that contravene our Bermuda Immigration laws, deal with them harsely! As a matter of fact….if allegations are correct send that CEO packing!
Immigration laws do not say that a company cannot outsource various aspects of its business operations. If there was such a law it has been broken many times over in the last two decades.
What immigration laws prevent outsourcing?
5000 is a little bit conservative with the amount of debt we already have and the amount we spend. In truth we probably have to double that amount and severely reduce spending. Scary ,but it is what it is.
Well Feel the love for the Canadians here. All they ever done was show up on time work hard amd party.
Serious Questions..
What constitutes being Bermudian???
What Nationality is Bermudian?
What Passport is Bermudian?
What Continent is Bermuda part of in its own right?
If a “Bermudian” gets into trouble abroad, which consulate provides assistance?
If every “guest” or “foriengner” left tomorrow, the remaining people would be eating loquates and avacado stolen from the neighbours trees.
Show up on time, do your job to the best of your ability and perhaps only perhaps you are safe. Otherwise keep quiet and keep fundingy new Hortons franchise
Funny I applied for a position in one of those companies. Now I know why I never heard back.
Why?
Probably ,your spelling ability . Unless, you were going for a hybrid of trump and Jonny Depp.
Mr Brown should intervene with other businesses that do as they like to Bermudians. The Bank laid off thirteen people twelve were Bermudians. They did the layoff’s the day after they posted record second quarter earnings. The bank Has many foreign workers yet the locals get the boot. Why??? They frequently advertise for available positions could they not have found position for the staff that were made redundant? Pretty sure they could however they are not looking out for the local staff members. They let people go that we’re very long serving employees. They could careless. I am sure they will do more before the year is over. Very sad.
because the bank is not a charity set up to keep people employed you numbnut
I have no problem with expats…but what I do have a problem with is qualified Bermudians being overlooked for many jobs…and Bermudians feeling as if they cannot do anything about it….I see it happening all the time even where I am employed…sometimes companies call it ‘saving money’; however, traveling expenses, housing, transportation, children’s private school fees, groceries etc… are being covered by the company…then the locals are treated like the scum of the earth…if it is warranted stand your ground…if not keep quiet and keep it moving and don’t be petty…some expats deserve to be here while others not so much
Bottom line could not agree with you more. Spot on I see it at my place as well. Some serious nonsense going on.
Let’s not talk about landlords allowing numerous expats to live in their homes all at once. But the local is told “ it’s meant for 2 people.
Their trick here is to land the job in the first place with a next to nothing wage , this is called the” foot in the door”. They find an in house patron of the same nationality who will advance their position of power and pay and off they go up the ladder of prosperity.
” Never poop on your own door step”.
” There is a hole in the bucket , Dear Liza”.
Who do you think is holding the door open ?
Two comments
Why do pro plp bloggers always drag President Trump into their argument and let us not forget that all landlords are Bermudian and many people have paid rents to Bermudians over decades which has funded many houses and businesses
I say careful what you wish for, IB can move in an instant
IB is already moving! They aim to keep the bare minimum of staff here the rest is outsourced to jurisdictions that are not xenophobic, racist, sexist
What was the job that Walton Brown, had before he had before becoming a PLP minister ?
I think he was in charge of buying the sticks that they put the placards on for the protests.
Looks like Air Care will never get another Government contract AS LONG as PLP governs . Belco just forfeited any fuel adjusted increase for the next 36 months ….
Keep p#ssing of your customers Belco .