After being left “very disturbed” by a report of alleged racial harassment suffered by a Filipino worker for more than 14 years, Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy has assured the Filipino community that his Ministry “is here to provide support”.

In the wake of the article in The Royal Gazette yesterday, Mr Fahy said: “Government will not tolerate abuse of any kind in the workplace.”

And he encouraged individuals to visit the Department of Workforce Development regarding issues of poor treatment in the workplace.

In order for the economy to thrive, he said, guest workers will be needed for “the foreseeable future”, adding that foreign guest workers “are vital to the successful functioning of our Island”.

The Minister also said that met earlier this year with the Philippine Embassy team, led by Consul Arlene Magno and Labour Attache Luz Padilla, in order to establish “stronger ties between the two countries”.

During the meeting, said a Government spokeswoman, Mr Fahy “asked if there were any concerns forthcoming to the Ministry from the Filipino population in Bermuda”, and also “offered support by highlighting the role of Workforce Development with regard to workforce infractions.”