The Ministry of Home Affairs is in the final stages of consultation about new methods to prevent work permit violations.The announcement comes less than a week after the Grotto Bay Resort was fined a total of $8,000 for two counts of unlawfully employing foreign workers. Prosecutors offered no evidence for three other counts of the same offence.The maximum fine for the offence in existing law is a fine of $5,000 and/or a period in prison.“The Ministry is not prepared to comment on the specifics of the Grotto Bay case, however the outcome of the case is consistent with the Government’s desire to send a strong deterrent message to discourage work permit violations,” said a Government spokeswoman.“In fact, the ministry is in the final stages of stakeholder consultation with respect to policy proposals regarding measures to discourage work permit violations.“It is anticipated that stakeholder feedback will help to inform legislative amendments that are expected to be considered during the current legislative session.”Government promised stronger measures to prevent work permit violations after eliminating term limits earlier this year. While the end of term limits was intended to bolster international business, critics expressed concern that the move could hinder the employment of Bermudians.Last week Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy told The Royal Gazette that the only “real deterrent” for companies in breach of immigration rules would be to hit offenders in their wallets, but following last week’s sentencing Shadow Finance Minister Walter Roban said harsher penalties must be put in place.“We’ve heard the proposed penalties bandied about by the OBA, and as can be seen with this sentence,” Mr Roban said. “To confirm their pledge, they need to consider even tougher measures with higher penalties than proposed. If not, some businesses my see their proposed penalties as merely an expense of doing business, rather than a deterrent.”