yesterday.

The redundancies come just 24 hours after the hotel closed for the winter.

The cuts follow a steady slimming down of the hotel's workforce.

Foreign workers have been hit the most -- 46 losing their jobs over the last two years.

A number of posts have also been slashed this year "through attrition,'' according to hotel management.

General Manager Mr. Roger Borsink said there was a continuous effort to match staffing and business levels.

He admitted 1992 had been a difficult year because of the "continuing worldwide recession''.

But he added: "We are optimistic that declines in occupancy have bottomed out.'' Yesterday's cuts will preserve the hotel's future and the jobs of Castle Harbour employees, said Mr. Borsink.

It remained unclear, however, exactly what jobs were axed, and whether Bermudians were the victims.

After delivering his statement, Mr. Borsink left the Island and could not be reached for further comment.

A hotel spokeswoman hung up the phone after saying only Mr. Borsink could speak on the matter.

Sonesta Beach president Mr. David Boyd last night denied rumours the hotel was hiring Haitian workers to work on renovations in preference to Bermudians.

He said about four Haitians were part of a multi-national group of specialised workers who were at the hotel to remove asbestos.

The team were specially trained in the job and had been working since Thanksgiving, he said. They were expected to leave today.

The workers' work permits were secured by local firm, Bermuda Specialties, he added.

"There is no-one licensed in Bermuda for the removal of asbestos.''