Government's updated work permit policies are still being finalised and will be introduced alongside a Department of Immigration website and a number of other new initiatives, some of which could come sooner than expected.

A Government spokesman revealed the news while responding to questions by The Royal Gazette about when initiatives mentioned in a letter to employers from the department back in May would be implemented.

The letter said the business community was reviewing a draft consultative work permit policies document in consultation with the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.

That review has since been completed, said the spokesman, who added: "The comments from the business community are being collated and reviewed before the final draft of the work permit policies document is produced.'' The letter noted that once the review was completed, the department's Internet website would go live with the publication of the updated policies and e-mail addresses would be made available shortly afterwards.

The spokesman said this was still the plan.

A new networked PC-based work permit processing system was near completion and would be operational within a few weeks continued the letter.

The spokesman said this new network was still undergoing development.

Another initiative mentioned in the letter included the introduction of three account managers who would be responsible for permits from particular industry groups. Each manager would have two clerks and would "meet with their customers on a regular basis and become familiar with the particular needs of each industry group'', said the letter.

The spokesman said: "The department has been undergoing a thorough review, part of which requires the restructuring of the work permit section to allow for three teams each headed by an account manager and each charged with particular sectors of the economy.

"The first draft of the departmental review is nearing completion.'' Future plans for the department included the introduction of electronic tracking of outstanding work permits for the customer, a new computer system, electronic submission of work permit applications, wallet-sized work permits and the replacement of 12,000 paper files.

While these were originally long-term goals for the future, said the spokesman, it was hoped that the introduction for some of the schemes would come forward.

The electronic tracking of outstanding work permits, the electronic submission of work permit applications and making work permits wallet-sized are now all medium-term goals for the department.

The electronic submission of work permits "is part of the second phase of the website development and in phase two of the PC-based network system'', said the spokesman.

Making work permits wallet-sized "will have to wait for the completion of the new Immigration computer system'', added the spokesman.

The definition of the system requirements for the new Immigration computer were nearing completion, continued the spokesman.

"A request for quote by vendors on the proposed new system should be issued in the near term.'' And part of the requirements for the new immigration system was replacing the 12,000 paper files using imaging technology, he said.

"In the meantime the Immigration file system is being thoroughly upgraded so that paper file retrieval will be more efficient and the chances of misfiling virtually eliminated. Work has begun on implementing the new filing system.''