A warning to illegal workers was sent out by Minister of Labour Derrick Burgess last night, who is considering asking Parliament to make immigration breaches a criminal offence.

At the moment, those caught working without permits are dealt with under civil law, and face fines of up to $10,000 or 12 months in jail for repeat offences.

Mr. Burgess said offenders could face harsher punishments if breaches were criminalised, and he would take this action if people don?t heed his warning.

?I am deeply concerned about the number of reports that I have received recently about persons who are working without work permits, some who even taken up employment illegally while on vacation in Bermuda. There have also been reports of persons who are working in areas not specified in their work permits,? he said.

?Let me emphasise that the Department of Immigration has a zero tolerance stance with respect to immigration infractions.

?Any individuals found working without a work permit may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Additionally, such persons risk deportation. Persons found working outside of the conditions of their work permits will be similarly penalised.?

Mr. Burgess declined to comment on how many reports he had received, and said he could not tell if the problem was worsening because he is new to his ministerial post.

However, he warned employers that they could face punishment if they are caught employing people without work permits or allowing employees to engage in work that is outside the parameters of their permits.

?In addition to the penalties available in law, they risk being denied the right to hold future work permits or of having existing work permits revoked,? he said. He also pledged to take tough action in cases where whistleblowers suffer unfair consequences from alerting the authorities.

?I am grateful to those concerned members of the public who report various breaches of immigration law or policy. However, I have received reports that some of these whistleblowers are later discriminated against in their current jobs or when seeking future employment.

?Let me say that any such report will be fully investigated by the Department of Immigration and that if discrimination is proven, appropriate measures will be taken,? he said. Anyone who commits an offence under the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 faces a $5,000 fine or three months? imprisonment on the first occasion and a fine of $10,000 or twelve months? imprisonment for a second or subsequent offence. The offender is also liable to a fine of $500 per day for each day during which the offence continues.

However, Mr. Burgess stressed that he did not wish to see people prosecuted, or to have to tighten the law. ?I hope people will adhere to the policy. We are not out witch-hunting,? he said.