Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering has announced that new work permit fees will come into effect on May 15.

Minister Pickering made the announcement in the House of Assembly on Tuesday April 18. He said the fees were approved by Cabinet following consultation with industry practitioners and stakeholders which led to the collective decision.

In a statement to the House, Minister Pickering said special consideration was made for domestic workers with the new structure.

“They will pay 1 percent of annual salary,’ he said, adding, “For all other workers, the fee for earnings up to $25,000 will be charged at 3 percent; the fee for earnings from $25,001 to $50,000 will be calculated at 5 percent and the fee for earnings above $50,001 will be calculated at 7 percent. Earnings in excess of $150,000 will also be charged at 7 percent.

The Deputy Premier added, “There will be a fee cap at $10,000 which means that no work permit will cost in excess of $10,000. The new fee structure also introduces a $50 application fee in addition to the $75 fee that is currently charged for issuance of the work permit card.”

Honourable Pickering said the Labour Department has been working with the Financial Services Implementation Unit to implement ways to improve customer service through more efficient processing.

He said the department will continually aim to provide efficient, world-class business-friendly and customer-oriented service.

Photo Caption: Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering Official Photo (Photo Credit/GIS-Ronnielle Frazer)