Government is to hire industry specialists to speed up a backlog in work permit applications.

Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer said the reorganisation would help clear a six-week log jam in processing work permits with about 2,000 work permits currently on file.

Three new posts are being created to cover business, hospitality and other posts including Government appointments.

Dr. Brewer said: "The three Industry Relationship Managers will meet with clients within those groups to make close contact."

The three, who will earn salaries of up to $67,000, will be given two clerks each,- who will also build up knowledge of the sectors they serve.

"They will get a better idea of what the needs are and be able to give a more informed response.

"There is quite a bottle neck. This will reduce it and speed up the flow."

He declined to say how much of the build-up would be slashed by the new system.

However, he said some companies had only themselves to blame for work permit delays.

"There are still a lot of incomplete questionnaires," said Dr. Brewer.

He said minor slips could delay a response such as when people write "not applicable" when asked how many children they had.

"Sometime they put that even though they actually have children - just because they aren't coming here doesn't mean you don't have to list them."

Dr. Brewer said the new system would help monitor employment trends and help Government gear training so Bermudians could take advantage of new opportunities.

He said: "With a new system and better system and new data we will be able to capture a lot more good information for policy-making.

"We will certainly be sharing that with the National Training Board and the Education Department."

He said the numbers of work permits of one to five years had remained steady around, about 7,500 issued per year while there were another 3,000 or so for shorter periods.

Chamber of Commerce executive vice president Diane Gordon welcomed the reorganisation.

She said: "Some of our members are concerned about the length of time it's taken for work permits to be reviewed.

"I approve of anything that will assist the Ministry to improve the system."