Sonesta Beach has advertised for more staff ten days after five non-Bermudian waiters learned they were to be axed.

The move is part of a management bid to attract more Bermudians to the hotel.

In yesterday's Royal Gazette the hotel carried a full-page ad for a host of positions.

These include chefs, waiters, a food and beverage controller, assistant director of property operations, gardener, front desk agent and administrative assistants.

Applicants should write to the Human Resources Manager by January 24.

The advertising push comes after the hotel was swept into controversy when five expatriate waiters discovered their work permits would not be renewed.

The waiters included Robert Faichney, 26, and Darragh Moore, 22, who received their six weeks' notice New Year's Day.

Mr. Moore and Mr. Faichney have claimed management failed to provide a valid reason for not renewing their work permits.

And they have taken their case to the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Sonesta Beach president Joseph Violi, however, has strongly defended the non-renewal of permits.

He said the decision had been made for business reasons after a review of the running of the hotel.

In a letter to Mr. Moore, he stated the decision not to renew his permit -- which expires on March 25, 1997 -- was made "due to consistent and documented work related issues this year''.