Government has designated the first companies as ?good corporate citizens? and one has been granted a waiver on work permit restrictions for some staff.

Labour and Home Affairs minister Randolph Horton made the announcement yesterday and said ?significant progress? had been made with international business leaders on resolving their concerns about six and nine-year work permit restrictions, except for key employees.understands the ?good corporate citizen? given work permit waivers was AON.

Seven companies have applied for ?good corporate citizen? status and three have already been approved, said Mr. Horton.

All three had applied for waivers for staff they considered key or in severe shortage. One had already been approved while the other two were being processed. Work permit waivers for key staff is one possible benefit for those designated ?good corporate citizens?.

Industry sources told many big companies resent having to prove to Government they are good corporate citizens.

The classification is based on things such as a good record of training and employing Bermudians, but David Ezekiel of the Association of Bermuda International Companies said further clarification was needed on this and how it would affect work permit waivers.

Mr. Horton said he had asked the International Business Forum to review the list of categories where there was a ?severe shortage? of staff ? including chefs, nurses, actuaries, butchers and senior catastrophe and finite insurance/reinsurance modelling analysts ? and to suggest others which fit the list.

?Clearly the work permit policy does work and I am committed to ensuring that it remains in the best interests of both the people of Bermuda and businesses that are responsible for our continuing success,? said Mr. Horton.

Mr. Ezekiel said: ?It is continued progress. Clearly the dialogue is helping a tremendous amount and it is good the Minister is giving consideration to what he is hearing. It is definitely a positive development.

?There is still work to be done and for greater clarity in terms of good corporate citizenship designation and how that relates to a company getting or not getting a work permit waiver.

?Even good corporate citizen status is no guarantee, but it demonstrates you are dealing with a company that on the face of it is doing the right thing.?