ONE of the local restaurant industry's leading figures this week predicted a rise in Bermudian applicants to hospitality jobs, while warning of possible "protests" against foreign workers in weeks to come.

MEF Group partner and Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler (pictured) told the Mid-Ocean News that the current economic downturn will see Bermudians apply for "jobs they'd normally turn their noses up at" in restaurants and bars – positions increasingly held by workers from Europe and Asia.

He also believes the recession will cause Bermudians to re-evaluate their work ethic in order to keep their jobs in the face of a tough year ahead for the economy.

"Local workers are smart enough to realise that competition is going to be on the horizon quickly," he said.

"Employers who have tolerated or even supported various things like Bermudian workers leaving for an hour in the middle of the day for their children's prize ceremony, or taking time off with a sick kid, all of these things – Bermudians will have to correct them on their own.

"They'll realise there are always one or two people waiting on the sidelines."

Mr. Butler was quick to add that while he does not advocate employers taking advantage of recession fears, he believes Bermudians will have to "adjust" to the possibility of working longer hours as businesses struggle to stay afloat.

"There will have to be corrective action to retain their jobs," he said. "If your boss has been concerned because you have been coming in ten minutes late, you'll come a little earlier and stay a little later. Bermudians now realise that people are knocking on their doors. Bermudians, to retain your jobs, you have to adjust. I am not saying that they should be abused or that employers should take advantage, but adjust."

Mr. Butler's employer, local restaurant chain MEF Group, boasts workers from more than 30 countries on its web site. The 450 staff members at MEF restaurants – which include Little Venice, L'Oriental, Lido and The Harbourfront – come from as far afield as Romania and the Philippines.

Mr. Butler explained that despite regular advertisements in Bermuda newspapers, a lack of interest from locals has forced the company to seek waiters, bartenders and other staff members from overseas.

"We're running a business here," he said.

"We've had some massive ads out there in the press. Prior to the economic downturn, we had no Bermudian applicants."

He added that restaurateurs might find themselves having to "trim" the number of foreign workers in the coming months as Bermudians seek employment.

He is adamant, however, that employers follow the proper procedures in hiring Bermudian staff – and, that Bermudians are "understanding" of the plight of foreign-born employees.

"We'll have to trim, as there are likely to be more Bermudians on our doorsteps," he said.

"These are jobs they'd normally turn their noses up at. You can turn your nose up when there are many other options. Bermudians don't want to go on financial assistance – it's a last resort. We also have to be very aware that you cannot just send a foreigner home like that.

"There are contracts and permits. These permits must wind down. I don't want to hear grumbling next year, because Bermudians have not been applying to these jobs. Businesses will have to advertise. You can't walk in and say, 'you guys are foreigners, goodbye'. We have to be understanding. We can't send anyone home willy-nilly."

Mr. Butler told the Mid-Ocean News of his "concerns" that Bermudians may panic in the face of a recession, and start protesting the prevalence of foreign workers in the hospitality sector.

"There are a lot of well-qualified Bermudians out there," he said.

"Should they be made redundant in their current jobs, they'll come back to the industry. I'm hoping people won't panic and start massive protests. There are likely to be people who jump up, as they normally do, without thinking through the process, and say, 'Hey, there are 20 foreigners in this department'. You have to wait until contracts wind down.

"That concerns me, as some people seem to think they can just walk in and say that – in pharmacies, in retail outlets, seeing foreigners working there. I am predicting the way people think."