Government agreed to extend a surveyor’s work permit after his employer took the matter to court.The dispute was set to be heard yesterday in the Commercial Court but a settlement was reached before the trial involving the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Araujo Construction.Peter Araujo said his company was forced to fight the Immigration Board’s decision in order to keep a key employee.“We were provided with documentation which confirmed that the board had initially approved a one-year permit but for some reason the Minister overruled this on the premise that local surveying practices were looking for work,” he stated.“Our company has always operated with an in-house quantity surveyor, the same way as other construction companies operate.“To continue to be a successful company we need the services of an in-house QS as it would not be practical to rely on consultant companies as the costs would be prohibitive and would mean we would no longer be competitive.”Mr Araujo said the Ministry was told a refusal of the work permit could jeopardise the jobs of the 20 people who worked at the company the permit was again refused.“We don’t understand how Government can dictate how we operate as a company for the good of Bermuda,” he said.“At the request of Government we were forced to re-advertise the position for a second time and again no applications were received from a Bermudian, but still no change by the Minister.”The company launched an appeal.In September, while the appeal was still pending, the surveyor was ordered to leave the Island within ten days.“It was totally unrealistic to settle personal affairs and would have destroyed my business,” he said.During yesterday’s brief hearing in the Commercial Court, Puisne Judge Stephen Hellman noted the order was not legal because the appeal was still pending.The Ministry agreed to extend the employee’s work permit until April 3, and pay half of the construction company’s legal costs.A Ministry spokeswoman declined to comment.Mr Araujo said the settlement was hopefully more than just a personal victory, and could bring about a new approach to work permit renewals.“We hope that as a result of today’s judgment government ministers will look to ensure the prosperity of Bermudians and allow all businesses, irrespective of size, to operate as they wish for the development of Bermuda,” he said.“We understand that permit applications must stand on their merits, but the needs of individual companies must be considered accordingly.”The company last week sparred with Government over the awarding of a contract to repair a retaining wall on Devon Springs Road, Devonshire.Mr Araujo said that Brown and Company’s winning bid was $50,000 higher than his company’s and that it didn’t have the proper equipment to do the job without hiring a subcontractor.Public Works Minister Michael Weeks said Brown and Company was selected because it was the best company for the job.