A Government MP's call for "pass cards'' for guest workers is "reprehensible,'' a National Liberal Party spokesman said yesterday.

NLP public relations officer Mr. Graeme Outerbridge was reacting to a call from Mrs. Grace Bell MP for guest workers to carry photo identification cards that would be produced on demand.

"Is she trying to introduce apartheid in Bermuda?'' Mr. Outerbridge asked.

"The suggestion of pass cards for non-Bermudians is repugnant and unnecessary.

"Next she'll be looking for black arm bands with yellow stars for anyone who's got a work permit.'' Mrs. Bell, who represents St. George's South for the United Bermuda Party, said the identity cards were needed to help fight the problem of illegal workers.

The managing director of Houseprouds Cleaning Service on Reid Street, Mrs.

Bell has been investigating illegal workers in the industrial cleaning business.

She said guest workers were already required to carry their work permits. But because of the size of the permits and the fact they are not laminated, she has challenged workers who have told her they left their permits at home, she said.

If guest workers were instead required to carry wallet-sized identity cards, "they could also have a picture embossed in plastic like a driver's licence,'' Mrs. Bell said.

"If challenged, it should be required by law that they have to produce it.'' But Mr. Outerbridge said Mrs. Bell's concerns were personal, not political.

"She's confusing her roles,'' he said.

"She needs to make a routine complaint to Immigration,'' he said. "She should not use her official position as a Government representative to look after personal business.

"If she's got a complaint, she can go through the system like any other citizen.'' Mr. Outerbridge said that while Mrs. Bell had been vocal about illegal workers in the industrial cleaning field, "I've never seen her on the battlements for any other private sector area when there's been immigration abuse.'' If it was the law that guest workers were supposed to carry their work permits, the law should be changed, Mr. Outerbridge said. The only time a guest worker should have to produce a work permit was when arriving at the Airport.

"Everyone should be treated equally under the law,'' Mr. Outerbridge said.

"Any kind of distinction in treatment is reprehensible and unnecessary.'' Mrs. Bell's proposal was "bordering on an abuse of people's human rights.'' Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman was off the Island yesterday.

Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Mr. Alex Scott could not be reached for comment.

Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Neville Smith, asked to clarify the present law on whether guest workers had to carry their work permits, did not return a telephone call from The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Graeme Outerbridge