Deadline Extended For English Policy Feedback
The deadline for feedback on the proposed English Speaking Work Permit Policy has been extended until October 19th.
Back on October 3rd, Minister of Home Affairs Walton Brown said, “The English Speaking Work Permit Policy is in circulation to key stakeholders for consultative purposes; the deadline for feedback is October 12, 2018. Depending on the extent of the feedback, I expect that this Policy will be implemented by October 19, 2018.”
The Ministry has confirmed that the Policy will not come into effect on October 19th, as the deadline for feedback/comments was extended to October 19, and the Ministry will have to consider the feedback first.
The Minister previously explained that Policy “seeks to ensure that foreign nationals hired by employers to work in serving positions – whether it’s in a restaurant, a hotel or a rest home – can communicate effectively in English.”
Noting that it is dangerous to have a non-English speaker employed in a job where one has to read prescriptions or the labels of dangerous chemicals, the Minister said “It is for those reasons that the Department of Immigration is seeking to put into effect the English Speaking Work Permit Policy.”
“The job categories that are being targeted by the new policy are those in industries where the job holder interacts with the public or in jobs where lives could be threatened if the person cannot speak or read English, namely:
- [a] Restaurant/Food Service and Hotel Workers: such as cleaner/houseman; room attendant; pot washer; cook/chef; waiter; food and beverage server; maitre’d; kitchen porter; counter person; counter chef;
- [b] Health Professionals, including but not exclusive of: physician; pharmacist; nurse; nursing aide; physiotherapist; occupational therapist; radiological technician; social worker; and
- [c] Caregivers in Nursing Jobs: nursemaid/nanny/child caregiver; caregivers of geriatric employers and patients in nursing homes.
“For workers from countries where English is not the first language, a condition would be placed on the work permit under this new Policy stating: ‘Applicant must provide evidence he or she has successfully passed an ‘English as a Second Language’ programme.’
“The employer would be required to show evidence that the applicant has successfully passed an ‘English as Second Language’ programme by submitting the document with the work permit application.
“Under this Policy, the Department of Immigration would investigate complaints from members of the general public that work permit holders cannot speak or understand English. In circumstances where the individual is already working in Bermuda and where a complaint is lodged against him/her, he/she will be brought into the Department of Immigration and given an English language test.
“If the test results indicate that the person is deficient in their understanding of and/or ability to speak English [i.e. they fail the test], the employer and employee will be advised that the Minister is considering revoking the work permit; both parties will be given 14 days to provide a written response as to why the Minister should not revoke the work permit.
“If the language test results indicate that the person is proficient in their understanding of and/or ability to speak English [i.e. they pass the test], they will be allowed to continue to reside and work in Bermuda for the duration of their work permit. In this case, the Department of Immigration reserves the right to recall the work permit holder for re-testing at any time.”
Noting that it is dangerous to have a non-English speaker employed in a job where one has to read prescriptions or the labels of dangerous chemicals, the Minister said “It is for those reasons that the Department of Immigration is seeking to put into effect the English Speaking Work Permit Policy.”
Excellent idea, but what does it mean for the Bermuda Hospitals Board? Will we have a shortage of doctors and nurses?
This is essentially a “kick out the Philippino” policy. It’s fundamentally disgusting and something, sadly, we have come to expect from the PLP.
Progressive my arse.
untrue, most filipinos come here with great english comprehension
Some do, some don’t, but my point is still valid. You could insert your own target of PLP bigotry.
Agreed. Lots of times, it’s the Dominicans and other Spanish-speaking natives who struggle or speak no English at all.
look I have seen it all while working for a telecommunications company knock on the door all we hear we don’t speak no English
Bermuda needs to get Bermudians back to work and if those low skilled foreigners have to go so be it
this is why I don’t eat at the restaurant next to the market place in Southampton or buzz or belvins
This is only the beginning. In future there will be a requirement to speak Bermudjan and suck your teeth in.
this is just the beginning .
wait a while and we will see other “parameters” ……
next might be the skin colour
This is another tool for the PLP to be able to kick out foreigners. Will the last man out, please turn off the lights.
How does Bitcoin Dave square this with his “opne for business” mantra?
What this says to employers, is that the Dept. of Immigration can determine on your behalf if someone is qualified for a role. A dangerous path down which to tread.
This is a racist policy that achieves absolutely nothing. PLP is the right-wing fascist Trump party of Bermuda politics.
In 18 months this is all he has done? If was in a job he would have been fired by now for not achieving anything. Please enlighten me if I am wrong.
if the fools that propose this stupid test could abide by it themselves. Guess this is another reason to bring in the “human rights hot sh*t QC . Pure racial bigotry and against Human Rights. You or US because I am one Bermudians hold yourselves to a very high level of SELF when we are no more than a TINY cog in the wheel.What percentage of US can speak dual or more languages. If you go to Uzbekistan can we communicate???? But no they to will have to speak English because we are Bermudians and the world must obey us.
What is the issue here Bermuda is an and always has been a english speaking country. Anyone who wants to visit or live in Bermuda should know how to speak english period. Who would go to live or even visit somewhere where you dont understand the national language. SMFH