A move was made last night by Home Affairs Minister David Burch to clarify statements attributed to several business people in yesterday's Royal Gazette concerning talks with Government about work permit term limits.

The story, which appeared in the business section, reported that talk between business representatives and Government regarding work permits were ongoing. It also described proposed changes to work permits in the Cayman Islands

In a statement, Government said Sen Burch had "repeatedly made it clear to business leaders that there is no contemplation of a change in the policy and there have been no recent discussions on this subject with the Ministry."

Minister Burch, in the statement, added: "Both the Minister and the Permanent Secretary have spent a considerable amount of time and effort meeting with business leaders both individually and collectively and it is not helpful for them to give one impression in those meetings then reverse themselves in the media to try and exert pressure on the Ministry.

"The Ministry has also been very cognisant of the current environment that businesses are operating in and sensitive to the needs of those businesses that have invested in our economy and continue to provide jobs for Bermudians.

"As a result, not only has the Department of Immigration expended a significant amount of time processing exemptions and extensions, but the Minister has been extremely flexible in considering and granting extensions to and exemptions from term limits to employers who make the case for them."

The statement went on to state that Bermuda does not have the "same challenges" as the Cayman Islands and that its policy is actually enshrined in legislation, whereas Bermuda's is not.

"This gives the Minister the flexibility and the discretion to take into account the changing needs of our economy and our business community," said Government.

l Opposition parties call for Government to scrap term limits – Page 11