Legislation aimed at streamlining Government services, with a view to possibly privatising some areas, is to undergo a further round of discussion with unions later this week.

The possibility of jobs being cut has stood out as one of the main sticking points with civil service workers and the labour movement.

The Public Bodies Reform Bill, which has been staunchly opposed by the Bermuda Public Services Union, got another poor reception following last week’s town hall meeting by Government on the implications of the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission recommendations.

A public meeting planned for tomorrow has been called off in light of “heightened public dialogue regarding the Public Bodies Reform Bill, the clean up from Tropical Storm Fay and the preparation for hurricane Gonzalo”, a Government spokesman said this afternoon.

However, a meeting will go ahead on Thursday with the Bermuda Trade Union Congress.

The BTUC is firmly against plans for outsourcing or mutualising services, declaring in the aftermath of the rancorous town hall meeting that it would fight Government “every step of the way”.

Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Bob Richards said this afternoon that misinformation about Government’s intentions needed to be cleared up.

“Privatisation, mutualisation and outsourcing are not new concepts,” he said. “Governments all around the world are using some of these tools for the betterment of their countries and economies.”

The Minister said countries such as the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand had opted to outsource “the investment and operation of non-competitive public services”.

Mr Richards added: “Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and others have long had privatisation policies. The Cayman Islands is currently looking at the possibility of privatisation, outsourcing and the sale of assets.”

The Minister affirmed the Government’s commitment to consult with stakeholders over the Island’s financial future.