Column: Immigration Policies & Initiatives
[Opinion column written by MP Michael Weeks]
Without much warning, the pandemic steered Bermuda into an unprecedented downward slide which led to:
- Enforcement of shelter in place;
- Shutting down of Bermuda’s borders;
- An unforgiving blow to the hospitality industry with well over a thousand workers being forced to shelter at home without pay;
- Hundreds of contract workers in many key industries forced to return home; and
- Masks, hand-washing and social distancing becoming the expected new normal.
It is clear that this Government has demonstrated the kind of leadership needed to keep the island safe while ensuring the population received the support it required.
In an effort to retain and protect the local population while attracting investors and visitors, the Ministry of Labour has been quick to react, leveraging immigration policies and initiatives to support Bermuda during these very challenging times. The Ministry of Labour has:
- Placed a moratorium on 41 additional occupations [for a total of 53] in Nov 2020 which has been extended through to January 2022 for new work permits only;
- Implementation of the Work From Bermuda programme which has seen a $23m impact on the economy – with approx. 640 certificate holders resident in Bermuda;
- Removal of the requirement for an Affidavit for Domicile – for applications for Bermudian Status;
- Implementation of the Economic Investment Certificate and Residential Certificate;
- Scrutinized Work Permits to ensure capable and qualified Bermudians are not passed over for Job opportunities;
- Enhanced visitor stays by increasing the number of days from 90 to 180 that visitor can reside in Bermuda; and
- Amended the eligibility requirement for Permanent Resident’s Certificates enabling long-term residents to be granted a Permanent Resident’s Certificate.
Despite the progressive work that has been done. There is still more work to be done. The Minister has outlined Immigration Reform Strategic Priorities that will bring about the changes required to modernise the Country’s Immigration laws and supporting policies and create operational efficiencies through process improvement.
- MP Michael Weeks - Constituency 16 – Pembroke East Central
“Implementation of the Work From Bermuda programme which has seen a $23m impact on the economy – with approx. 640 certificate holders resident in Bermuda;”
Imagine the impact if 5000 jobs hadn’t been lost since 1998, all those families gone, not contributing.
Idiots.
More repetitive and senseless electioneering fluff. Maybe the PLP has forgotten it’s only been a year since the last election. Why not fix the economy they decimated beginning in 2009 and Bermuda has never recovered from, unlike many of our neighbors to the South. Can’t even fix the simple things like the Botanical Gardens, now a national disgrace.
“The Minister has outlined Immigration Reform Strategic Priorities that will bring about the changes required to modernise the Country’s Immigration laws and supporting policies and create operational efficiencies through process improvement.”
No! NO!! No!!! There will be no modernisation of Bermuda’s immigration laws or policy. There must not even be debate about it.
Everyone surround Sessions House and block Parliament from debating immigration reform. Rev. Genevieve, where are you and the People’s Campaign?
So is this an advertisement for the PLP or just a backbencher looking for a Ministerial position?
And yet we’re seeing businesses close down due to government incompetence. Thousands of Bermudians have lost their jobs under this government.
My roommate in college Howard University’s Keith Tucker just got inducted into The Football ⚽️ Hall of Fame.The induction ceremony is tomorrow 6pm in Virginia