Gustavia (AFP)

Devastated two years ago by Hurricane Irma, the Antillean island of Saint-Barthélemy has tightened its controls to limit the access of European Union nationals to reconstruction work, including luxury hotels.

The devastation caused by Irma on September 6, 2017 has created a strong need for labor in this island of less than 10,000 inhabitants.

In order to regulate the use of detached work and foreign labor, the Overseas Collectivité has just adopted a Code of Access to Work for Foreigners.

In 2018, 211 seconded workers declared themselves to the local authorities, mainly Italians, but also Slovaks, Bulgarians, Croats, construction professionals mainly coming in the context of the reconstruction of luxury hotels. But the community assumes that they are much more numerous.

Since last year, a series of checks on salary and housing conditions have already been put in place to limit access to work for non-EU foreigners, especially from the neighboring Dominican Republic.

The device is now the same for Europeans, to drastically limit the use of detached work.

Companies that already have recourse must regularize their situation before January 1, and risk a fine of 4,000 euros in case of non-compliance with procedures, 8,000 euros in case of recidivism. Some professions, such as nannies, models or artists, are exempted from the application for authorization.

This provision, which derogates from European regulations, is possible thanks to the OCT status of Saint-Barthélemy (Overseas Countries and Territories).

Irma, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever seen in the Atlantic, had caused 835 million euros worth of damage to property insured in Saint-Barthélemy, according to the French Federation of Insurance. He had killed 11 people on the neighboring island of St. Martin.

Thanks to a rapid reconstruction, tourist activity quickly resumed in Saint-Barthélemy and only three large luxury hotels on the island have not yet reopened.

© 2019 AFP