A protest on the House of Assembly grounds ends with Government pledging to introduce the proposed Pathways to Status legislation in stages rather than as an omnibus bill.

Earlier in the month, smaller protests take place on East Broadway and on the House of Assembly grounds.

On March 7, an urgent motion brought by Walton Brown, the Progressive Labour Party MP, to launch a Joint Select Committee to tackle the issue of immigration is rejected after a prolonged debate in the House of Assembly. He warns of “growing and sustained unrest”.

A day later, Enda Matthie begins a hunger strike.

Aside from introducing the proposed legislation in stages, Government promises to set up a consultative working group of key stakeholders who will discuss the initiative and make recommendations before any legislative changes are made.

In addition, the Labour Advisory Council is to look at amendments to work permit policies to address a living wage and training requirements for Bermudians, cracking down on unscrupulous business tactics that undermine Bermudian labour and working with the international business sector to provide summer job opportunities for Bermudians.

The agreement brings to an end five days of protests outside Parliament.

Protest leaders originally call for an island-wide work stoppage. Some 1,200 people attend the first day of protests on Friday March 11. They are led by Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert, and Reverend Nicholas Tweed of the People’s Campaign.

Civil servants are among those who withdraw their labour, leading to disruptions in ferry and bus services as well as on the docks. Schools remain open.

Chief Justice Ian Kawaley says it is “very strongly arguable” that the withdrawal of labour is in breach of the Labour Relations Act, and that calling on persons to withdraw labour is “very arguably contrary to the Act”.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority and Bermuda Hotel Association issue a joint statement, calling the work stoppages “counterproductive to the fragile economic recovery”.

On Sunday March 13, a huge crowd gathers on the grounds of the Cabinet Building in support of the proposed legislation. An online petition in support of the legislation gathers more than 2,900 signatures.

After a weekend break, the protest continues on Monday, March 14. Protesters link arms to block Members of Parliament from entering the House in order to debate the proposed legislation. The crowd grows to number some 1,500 people.

Dock workers return to work temporarily on March 15 to unload more than 20 containers of “essential supplies”.

Sir John Swan plays a role in bringing the parties together.

Government agrees to withdraw the Pathways to Status Bill on March 17.

Michael Dunkley, the premier, says valuable lessons have been learnt.

Civil servants who did not go to work during the protest will not be paid.

Government praises the Bermuda Police Service for its “professional handling” of the protests.

Marc Bean, the Opposition leader, vows not to allow Government to pass the Pathways to Status legislation in a phased approach.

A poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette shows that more than half of registered voters support the Pathways to Status Bill.

March 2: The Bermuda Government and developers Desarrollos Group finalise a 262-year ground lease for the $150 million St George’s hotel project.

March 3: Civil servants took some 38,655 sick days in the 2015/16 fiscal year, a cost of $10,625,000 to Government.

March 3: Plans for a parking lot near Shelly Bay playground are shelved.

March 4: Some 277 people have been granted status under the “sleeping provision” 20(B) of the Immigration and Protection Act, Parliament hears.

March 6: Hundreds of people watch the hatching of a Cahow chick on Nonsuch Island through a streaming live feed.

March 9: The Supreme Court rules that Bermuda’s immigration laws are unconstitutional, having discriminated against Michael Barbosa on the basis of his place of origin and prevented him from gaining status. Puisne Judge Stephen Hellman recognises Government’s proposed Pathways to Status legislation as a remedy for the constitutional violation and says Mr Barbosa can bring the case back to court if the proposed legislative changes are not enacted.

March 10: A two-year-old mixed pit-bull terrier finds a new home overseas after being seized by animal wardens in Bermuda.

March 16: Shawn Crockwell quits as Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, saying he has lost confidence in the One Bermuda Alliance government under Premier Michael Dunkley. Grant Gibbons becomes acting Minister of Tourism and Transport.

March 18: Bermudian Nicole Stoneham is appointed a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court.

March 18: Saltus Grammar School ranks as the seventh largest St Baldrick’s fundraiser worldwide. The school raises some $226,000.

March 21: The One Bermuda Alliance leads the Progressive Labour Party by just one percentage point, 39-38, in a poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette.

March 21: Former Attorney-General Larry Mussenden is appointed Bermuda’s new Director of Public Prosecutions.

March 21: The Supreme Court rules that three non-Bermudian police officers can remain in the service, overturning a decision by the Commissioner of Police.

March 22: Leader of the Opposition, Marc Bean, takes a medical leave of absence after suffering a suspected stroke.

March 23: Shade Subair Williams is to succeed Charlene Scott as Registrar of the Supreme Court.

March 24: The Governor George Fergusson and his wife, Margaret, send Bermuda Easter lilies to the Queen.

March 24: The House of Assembly and Senate give their approval for loan terms with Clarien Bank that will allow the Corporation of Hamilton to pay an $18 million debt to Mexican Infrastructure Finance.

March 24: Lack of guidelines and insufficient staff training led to the identity of a Public Access to Information requester being made public last year, the Information Commissioner says.

March 25: Motorcyclist Azah Dowling, 22, of Sandys Parish is killed when his bike collides with a car on Middle Road in Sandys.

March 25: A huge crowd gathers at Horseshoe Bay Beach for the traditional Good Friday kite-flying.

March 29: Pitbull-type dogs should remain on the banned list according to some 54 per cent of the 400 people who take part in a poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette.

March 30: Government and the Bermuda Police Association reach agreement on a new deal.

March 30: A land snail thought to have been extinct for more than 40 years, and an Atlantic turtle are among more than 100 species added to the Bermuda Protected Species list.

March 30: An amendment to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act permits the issuance of formal Police cautions as an alternative to formal prosecution.

March 31: The Ocean Vet series, featuring the late Dr Neil Burnie, has its world premiere at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.