Bermuda - Bermuda's work-permit time bomb.

(From Reinsurance)

The 'class of 2007' - this is what the group of expatriate workers in Bermuda who are now being forced off the island by new government policies are calling themselves.

The Department of Immigration has put in place 'term limits' stating that anyone with a work permit can now only stay for six years, and anyone who has been on the island this length of time and not given an exemption will have to leave by 1 April 2007.

There was widespread concern from the business community when the regulations passed in April 2001, but after much discussion, the government allowed companies to apply for three-year extensions where compelling reasons were proved and said time limits would not apply to 'key workers' or companies that are seen to be 'good corporate citizens'.

This loophole pacified the business community on the surface, but there have been many rumblings about not being able to attract the best workforce without any prospect of a long-term career at a company.

The Home Affairs Minister, Randy Horton, has stated that the 'vast majority' of guest workers would not fall into the key-worker category, although he added it would be 'irresponsible' to apply time limits indiscriminately.

A small army