Expatriate teachers in music schools will now be allowed to engage in outside employment following a change of policy in the Department of Immigration.

After widespread consultation, it has been decided that anyone employed under a work permit as a music teacher by any of the music schools on the Island could take on additional work, up to ten hours a week, as performing musicians.

The new rule stipulates that foreign music teachers can only take on outside work if no suitable Bermudian is available, and they may only put themselves forward for a certain kind of work.

A Government spokesman said the teacher must not be involved, either solo or with a group, that has a regular schedule of musical entertainment, unless a place of business obtains a work permit to hire the teacher in such a capacity.

The spokesman said: "Examples are churches (organist), hotels, restaurants and bars. However, the teacher may perform either solo or in the company of others at weddings, receptions, private parties, Philharmonic Society concerts, musical theatrical productions and similar one-off or short-term engagements."

But the Department of Immigration will require that all engagements be booked through an agent, and this would normally be the music school that holds the teacher's work permit, but it is also possible that the engagement could be made through an agency that specialises in organising such events.

"The agent is responsible for ensuring that qualified Bermudians have first been canvassed for their availability before any request for a performer is filled by a teacher on a work permit," added the spokesman."

He said a `qualified Bermudian' was a competent musician who played the instrument being requested by the client. The agent will be required to report quarterly to the Chief Immigration officer on the placing of teachers and the reason a qualified Bermudian was not engaged in each case.

The quarterly reports will be due on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 every year and should reach the Department of Immigration no later than 30 days after the due date in each case.

The agent will be responsible for handling the payment of teachers who must not be paid directly by the client.

And teachers who perform on a voluntary basis have the Minister's tacit permission, under the law, to undertake such unpaid work.

Voluntary performances do not count against the weekly ten hours allowance for paid employment.

"Any teacher who abuses privileges granted under this policy will not only have the privileges revoked, but could place his or her work permit in jeopardy," said the spokesman.

The policy comes into effect immediately.