Bermudians understand the value of international business but they just want don’t want to be left out of the game. That was the message from Premier Paula Cox at a press conference on Wednesday in response to international groups calling for major immigration reform.“I think Bermudians recognise the value of international business,” she said. “I think they are aware that we depend on the international business sector. They just want to be accounted for. I want to be clear, we want Bermuda to succeed. We want to see Bermudians have opportunities and we want to do whatever is necessary to see that happen.”She said that ensuring that Bermudians come first means balancing the needs of the people and the needs of business — both of which are intimately intertwined.“Bermuda must win and Bermudians must win, and that means we need to manage and recognise a very delicate balancing act,” she said.Joined by Economy Minister Patrice Minors, the pair moved to clear up widespread “misinformation” about work permits following the call for major immigration reform from business groups.Following an article in this newspaper on Wednesday that included an immigration reform ‘wish list’ issued by ABIR, the Chamber and industry representatives, the Premier and Minister Minors said that many of the items are already being implemented and those that are not, will be taken into consideration.“Last year, we passed the Job Makers’ Incentive Bill because we saw it as important to ensure that those who are key players in Bermuda and those who create jobs for Bermudians in Bermuda have a greater incentive to stay in Bermuda,” said the Premier. “Government can’t be dogmatic but it can be dogged and that’s why we need to anticipate and respond.”Premier Cox said that she has personally reached out to CEOs in Bermuda to express that she values their commitment to the Island, highlighting that the Jobs Act underscores Bermuda’s determination to be welcoming to international business.Adding that perhaps the Government hadn’t always been consistent in communicating what the work permit policies were, both women aimed to clear up the confusion.“The Premier and I are very cognisant of the issues pertaining to work permits and the perception that those may have in the international business community,” said Minister Minors. “We have heard, we are acting and we will deliver.”They said that there are several job categories that are already exempt from term limits, not just the C-suite (see side bar for full listing) and expedited work permit processing to those companies that been awarded with the “gold seal” — those companies deemed to be job makers.“It’s not just recognising gold seal, it’s also saying that the gold standard for providing jobs for Bermudians,” said the Premier. “Bermudians must win in the economic and labour stakes.”The Government has reduced the period of eligibility for Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to three years from ten years that was previously required for job makers.The Ministry’s internal work permit review will be complete within the next couple of months and those items listed in the business groups’ wish list will be taken into consideration.“Some of the items in the wish list are already being done,” said the Premier. “Those issues that aren’t already included are in the Minister’s parameters to look at.”“Where it is reasonable we will incorporate their wish list into what will ultimately be the reviewed work permit policy,” added Minister Minors.Premier Cox singled out a list of companies that meet the gold standard that those that consistently defend the Island. Charles Dupplin of Hiscox, David Cash of Endurance, Don Kramer of ILS Capital, Ed Shirley of Bacardi Ltd, Tom Hulst of Ariel Re, among many others.So far, there have been five applications for the Job Makers Incentives and has had interest from others, said Premier Cox.After reviewing the applications, the Premier said that she has been able to exercise “tremendous flexibility and granting concessions to those key staff for those responsible for keeping business in Bermuda”.Minister Minors apologised for any misinformation that has been given out by the Department of Immigration responsible for issuing work permits.“There has been significant organisational changes, and I will be meeting with the staff very shortly to remind them of the existing policies and procedural issues that may be causing some angst in the international business community,” she said.