Shadow Immigration Minister Walton Brown has called on the Government to fully investigate claims of illegal workers.

One Bermuda Alliance MP Jeff Sousa said this week he suspected up to 100 foreigners involved in post-storm recovery were working illegally in Bermuda.

But Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said today he believed this was inaccurate, but if people were aware of such cases they should contact Immigration.

Mr Brown highlighted their conflicting opinions as a “disconnect” in the OBA.

“The statements in the media from OBA MP Jeff Sousa, regarding approximately 100 illegal workers in Bermuda to help with the storm recovery, and the statement from Immigration Minister Michael Fahy that he is completely unaware of this, are contradictory and show a disconnect in the One Bermuda Alliance caucus as to what the truth is,” Mr Brown said.

“There should be little to no need to import workers to do labourers’ work in the aftermath of Fay and Gonzalo.

“The Progressive Labour Party has already pledged our support in the event that highly skilled workers need to be imported. For less skilled jobs we must ensure that Bermudians are employed in the first instances.

“The statements by MP Sousa allege that this is not happening and we call on Minister Fahy to investigate where the breaches are.

“The One Bermuda Alliance Government has shown time and time again their will to put foreign workers first. In this instance, we call on Minister Fahy to stand up for the Bermudian workers.”