A new work permits policy floated by the Economy Minister makes little economic sense and could lead to job losses say employers.Patrice Minors, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, announced on Wednesday that the Government is looking at extending the categories of employment that are closed to work permits.She said a work permit moratorium imposed last February for certain jobs had resulted in “hundreds” of jobs opening up for Bermudians.But the Minister said that she would be consulting industry on further restrictions. She is looking at closing off work permits to jobs such as masons, carpenters, electricians and plumbers, while adding jobs such as waiters, servers, landscapers, secretaries and caregivers to a “restricted” list “where employers will have to first demonstrate that they have hired a certain percentage of Bermudians including trainees before a work permit is considered.”“Limiting work permits means less job creation overall,” said Peter Everson who heads up the Economic Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.He noted that Bermuda’s overall employment income has dropped 4.6 percent in the third quarter, the largest drop during this time period since prior to 2007, and said part of the reason for the decrease is that the number of people living in Bermuda has decreased.“In the good times from 1990 to 2006 the Chamber’s analysis showed that for every five work permits that were issued, one job was created,” Mr Everson said.“As work permits are being cancelled, it will not only impact the number of people here spending money on the Island but also impact the number of jobs created.”Mr Everson added that it would be better to increase the total number of jobs rather than “reallocate” them.“Every time we lose a work permit holder, there is one less person paying rent, and that’s going to be one of the weak points of the economy it will become increasingly hard for Bermudians to pay their mortgage payment.”Replacing experienced people with people that need to be trained and get up to speed, which may take several months to a year, is “less efficient and less effective, making the economy less competitive rather than more competitive.”That’s a point that resonates with the Bermuda Employers Council.“We are particularly interested to discuss our concerns that a new policy may evolve requiring the hiring of ‘any Bermudian that is able and willing to work, whether trained or untrained, before work permits are issued….(and requiring) … a certain percentage of Bermudians including trainees before a work permit is issued,’” said Keith Jensen, BEC president.Mr Jensen says that the policy would impose an unsustainable cost burden to small businesses, causing some to close or reduce services and staff.“And, if unacceptable standards of service take hold, therefore, negatively affecting clients and revenue.”BEC is urging Government to make labour market policy “within a framework of the timely release of GDP statistics and forecasts.”“Plans to provide timely statistics from the Ministry together with a frequent review of the categories to be given more scrutiny through consultation can only improve the effectiveness of policies and improve the working relationships of the tripartite social partners labour, employers and Government,” Mr Jensen continued.He said, given the economy, work permit restrictions were expected and that employers were supportive of Government’s retraining efforts.“From a practical point of view, it is less costly to hire a Bermudian than to bring in a person from abroad.”Restaurateur Phillip Barnett highlighted a different concern. “We certainly believe we are doing everything in our power to hire Bermudians into the hospitality industry.”But he said that the hospitality industry is “no different” from any other. “The fact of the matter is we want people to want to work in our industry and do a good job,” Mr Barnett said.“Many Bermudians consider it beneath them. And that’s demeaning to any other Bermudian in the industry. It’s also demeaning to try to force people to come into the industry because they cannot find work. We’re not interested in having anybody working with us who doesn’t have the same pride and understand the nobility of the position.”