Economy Minister Kim Wilson has extended a moratorium on work permits for skilled labourers, landscape gardeners and cleaners.Ms Wilson told a press conference yesterday the moratorium had been extended for another three months.“The reality is that we can no longer deny that the financial challenges which have had a stranglehold on countries and governments worldwide, have not had an effect on Bermuda’s economy and workforce,” she said. “We’ve all seen the headlines citing job losses.“We’ve all heard the discussion of redundancies in practically every sector of our community. There is genuine concern and unease. All of which are quite warranted.”She said the decision, first made by former Home Affairs Minister David Burch in August, to delay granting work permits for certain jobs was done to preserve Bermudian jobs.It applies to landscape gardeners, cleaners, kitchen and bar porters, housekeepers, masons and carpenters.Sen Wilson said the decision to extend the moratorium was not taken lightly.“To be clear, all permit submissions [for those jobs] that have been on hold and all future submissions will be denied until we are satisfied that Bermudians are given first priority in being considered for available positions in these areas,” she said. “In accordance with the Act, applicants will retain the right of appeal to the Minister.“Simply put the number of redundancies is growing.“And the objective of the moratorium is to secure employment opportunities for Bermudians in a declining job market.”Sen Wilson said she was aware of the critics to this moratorium but her ministry was taking a balanced approach.She said they would continue to issue work permits for industries where it is critical for the success of Bermuda’s global competitiveness.She concluded: “We recognise that we compete in a global marketplace and we will fiercely defend our competitive position, however a part of that process is to ensure a stable and healthy society wherein our people are able to work to provide for their basic needs.”