Bermuda clamps down on foreign labour

Labour Minister Lieutenant Colonel David Burch. (File photo)

HAMILTON, Bermuda, November 17, 2008 – The Bermuda government is clamping down on foreign labour, as it seeks to secure jobs for citizens in these tough economic times.

Against the background of inflation in Bermuda reaching its highest in 17 years – 5.9 per cent – Labour Minister Lieutenant Colonel David Burch announced that measures had to be taken to ensure that Bermudians meet their daily needs.

In a statement outlining the country’s plan to deal with the global economic turmoil, he said that efforts are ongoing to secure jobs for locals by putting systems in place to ensure that “every qualified Bermudian is employed prior to the issuing of a work permit”.

“With the downturn in the world economy we need to look at protecting Bermudian workers. When instituting layoffs and redundancies, employers are reminded that Bermudians must be the last to be laid off. I will be discussing with stakeholders the restriction of certain job categories as we work together to weather this storm,” he said.

Minister Burch said that in response to increasing complaints about illegal workers in construction, the government has instituted a closer scrutiny of all work permits in this sector and has placed electricians, carpenters, masons and plumbers in the restricted category.

“Additionally, we are closely monitoring all other industries where anticipated redundancies or layoffs may occur to ensure that Bermudians are the last to be displaced.  Close liaison is occurring between the Departments of Labour and Training and Immigration so that any job vacancies can be offered to Bermudians first before any consideration of a work permit,” he said.

The Labour Minister also offered some career advice to those who have already lost their jobs or are finding difficulty securing employment. He urged them to consider joining the Bermuda Police Service, the Department of Corrections or the Bermuda Fire Service. 

“We have been struggling to recruit Bermudians in all three services and now is a good a time as any to consider such a career,” he said.

Among the other measures which Mr Burch said the government would have to undertake to help the country get through the economic turbulence, is the scaling back, postponing or modifying of several housing projects.

The Labour Minister added that government would monitor these initiatives and make adjustments to them as needed.