The newly-formed advocacy group has recommended a market based approach to immigration
During a press conference held on September 12, 2019 to publicise the findings of its report, the members of the group BermudaFirst emphasised the territory’s need to enable job creation with appropriate protections and identified three areas which it deemed to be most urgently in need of reform: education, healthcare, and immigration.
The group’s main focus is the continued growth and success of Bermuda’s economy and, as such, it is of the opinion that immigration policy must serve to help businesses and the government attract the best talent to the island when necessary. The group recommended the removal of protectionist policies implemented by past governments which they claim have had unintended consequences. Instead they suggest that policies must be geared toward job creation in order for Bermuda to attract and retain the best talent. If a Bermudian can meet the required standard, they should be given preference, but in all other instances, the appropriately qualified individual should be employed. Only if this is done will the territory remain competitive and at the forefront of innovation.
The report recommends:
- Shifting the mindset of the Department of Immigration so it recognises and responds to the needs of the local business community.
- The resolution of issues associated with family and long-term residency.
- A workforce approach be adopted with companies. This includes understanding their business models, organisational talent needs, expectations for Bermudian inclusion and accountability milestones in exchange for the issue of work permits required by such companies.
- The introduction of a work permit scheme for the international business sector that can cater to its unique staffing needs.
- Automating and streamlining the immigration process.
The group also feels it is imperative that current immigration policy focus on diversity and agility. Diversity, meaning greater emphasis must be made to encourage the arrival of migrants other than those of European origin and agility, in that the administration of the government’s immigration policy must be efficient, flexible and responsive, and that work permit applications should be processed quickly and transparently.
Rather than restrict foreign migrants, the group suggests that the focus should be on ensuring Bermudians have access to world-class standards of education and meaningful professional development so they can compete for employment opportunities, while Bermudian businesses should be allowed to objectively identify and secure the necessary additional talent they need to fill job vacancies.
