GFSB taken by surprise by "major changes" to permanent residency and Gibraltarian status bill

The Federation of Small Businesses says it's been taken by surprise by the Gibraltarian Status and Immigration Bill published on Thursday. 

It says there has not been any consultation on what it calls, "major changes" to permanent residency and Gibraltarian status. 

The bill, if passed in parliament, would change the qualifying period from 10 to 20 years under the Gibraltarian Status act, and from 5 to 10 years for permanent residency under the Immigration Act, amongst other things.

The GFSB says it fully understands the need to ensure that new entrants to Gibraltar are a net positive, but claims the mood music feels negative at a time when it should be positive.

Shelina Assomull spoke to board member Seth Galia.