Labour and Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton said Government was continuing to talk with the business community on the controversial issue of work permits.

?I wish to assure the people of Bermuda that this Government will do nothing that will jeopardise the continuing success of business in Bermuda, whether it be international company business or local company business,? he said in a ministerial statement to the House of Assembly on Friday.

?The Government, recognising Bermuda?s status as a premier jurisdiction for international business, is fully committed to ensuring that businesses are able to operate in Bermuda without excessive regulation. Yet the Government fully recognises that a balance must be struck between the legitimate needs and expectations of Bermudians and the current and emerging needs of the business community.?

Mr. Horton explained a little of the work permit policy, laid out in depth at the website: www.immigration.gov.bm.

?In most cases, there will be a work permit term of six years,? he said. ?In cases where the employer is able to justify that because of a genuine and compelling reason there is a need for a longer period, the work permit term will be extended to nine years.

?However work permit term limits will not apply where it can be demonstrated that the work permit holder is key to the business?s operation.?

He said it was clear that the ?vast majority? of guest workers would not fall into that key category and so would be required to leave Bermuda after six or nine years. ?But it would be altogether irresponsible to apply term limits indiscriminately.?

Mr. Horton also said he had met with representatives from the major business organisations forming the immigration subcommittee of the International Business Forum (IBF) to discuss work permit policy.

?Based on the invaluable input from these organisations, we are presently fine-tuning the policy to clarify how exemptions from work permit term limits will be applied to businesses in Bermuda. I can assure everyone that the ways in which term limits are applied will be done in the best interest of Bermudians and Bermuda?s national interest.

He also updated MPs on some of the Department?s progress with work permits.

?We have been engaged in discussions with the Bermuda Hotel Association and the Bermuda Industrial Union regarding seasonal workers. We are finishing a policy which would allow hotels to apply for seasonal work permits that would expire at the end of the busy season.

?This would mean that Bermudians would not have to compete with work permit holders for work in the slow season and should enable them to remain employed for longer periods in the off-season.

The Minister added: ?We have conducted a number of surveys and received feedback regarding the procedures and systems in the Department of Immigration. Over the last 18 months we have been involved in a major re-organisation of the Department, an initiative that is designed to improve efficiency levels overall.?

That included replacing the Department?s obsolete computer systems with an integrated information system that will make better use of technology. ?We have begun the first phase of our project by enlisting the help of a consulting firm, Scientific Technologies Corporation (STC) of Arizona,? Mr. Horton said.

?The consultants are reviewing the Department?s processes and continue to meet with individuals and groups from the business community and other Government departments.?