Nine companies accused of abusing their foreign employees have been told they will get no more work permits issued unless they smarten up their act.

Labour and Immigration Minister David Burch revealed the news today, telling a press conference that a flood of guest workers had complained about abuse — ranging from intimidation to paltry pay — after he urged victims to come forward in January.

“The level and severity of the complaints are so distressing, that I can only imagine the nightmare the recipients of such abuse are living under,” he said.

Senator Burch claimed Jamaican employers with Bermudian status were the “greatest offenders” and that they were mistreating their fellow Jamaicans. “Check your behaviour now before you find yourselves in the hot seat,” he warned.

See tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette for the full story.