Bermuda Introducing Tougher Work Permit Rules

03 June 2003 The Bermudian government is introducing new work permit regulations that it claims are designed to protect both domestic and expatriate employees, and realign the rules with new legislation contained in the Employment Act.

Speaking to the House of Assembly recently, Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister explained: "There are two reasons for enforcing the Employment Act 2000 as part of work permit policy. The first is to prevent employers trying to make jobs less attractive to Bermudians by offering lower wages than they would offer a non-Bermudian. The second is to ensure that non-Bermudian employees are aware of their conditions of employment including salary and benefits before they commit themselves, in order to prevent exploitation by employers."

Under the new Employment Act rules, employers are required to draw up a Statement of Employment for their workers which will set out "accurately and completely" the employee's job description, according to Lister. This will also apply in cases of promotion or other changes in job title. Every work permit will also require a Statement of Employment, the minister continued.

Furthermore, work permit holders will now only be permitted to bring dependants onto the island if they are under the age of 16 and holders can prove they are financially solvent enough to support them.

Exceptions to the work permit requirements apply in cases of short term permit applications. Short term applications must, however, be accompanied by a resume.

The Minister indicated that a number of these changes were already in place, and announced that from next month, the new rules will also apply to work permit renewals.