Employers will be given advice on how to streamline their work permit applications at a series of workshops starting on Thursday.

Last month Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer claimed sloppy form filling was fuelling a massive backlog while employers blamed Government for stalling applications by being pedantic.

Both industry and Government hope the free sessions open to Bermuda Employers' Council (BEC) members will reduce delays and increase productivity. The banking/financial/insurance sector will kick off the morning workshops on Thursday, followed by law and corporate services a week later, hotels on September 4 and other industries on September 11.

The objectives of the workshops are to review immigration application processes, identify common application errors, present tips on preparing applications, answer questions on applications and to meet immigration specialists responsible for certain job categories.

Bermuda Employers Council Vice President Jonathan Brewin said industry leaders had a constructive meeting with Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister and his staff last Monday to thrash out problems.

He said the department had promised full automation of files in the next six to 12 months to speed the process.

Assistant Chief Immigration Officer Rozy Azhar, who will be present at the seminars, said by September the Immigration department would be fully staffed with the in-house promotion of a new head covering the financial sector. She said the department was trying to create a dialogue with businesses and that an earlier seminar featuring KPMG recruiter Tana Tucker for the insurance industry had helped bosses know what immigration expected when applications were made.

Ms Tucker will also be present at the sessions. To register for the sessions at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess BEC members should call 295 5070.