Government has failed to come up with a clear direction for Bermuda's future, the chief executive of one of the Island's biggest companies said yesterday.

And Belco (Holdings) Ltd. president Garry Madeiros warned that "double standards'' -- increasing red tape while trying to take advantage of global business barriers coming down -- risked Bermuda's prosperity.

He also called for a rethink on controversial plans to put six-year time limits on most work permits and for Government to treat overseas workers with "sensitivity and fairness''.

Mr. Madeiros said: "Foreign workers have made a tremendous contribution to our community and business development over the last 40 years. As one looks forward to the future, their involvement will be just as necessary if the Island continues in the direction it is with regard to international business.'' He added: "Right now, international business is being attacked from a number of external bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the United States Congress.

"They do not need to experience or perceive internal attacks as well. This would not provide any encouragement or incentive to fight off these external threats so that we may benefit from their continued growth and existence on our Islands.

"The bigger concern is that at a time when we all talk about globalisation and the importance of competing in a global market, we, as an Island, seem to be implementing more protectionist policies rather than eliminating them. This double standard that we constantly seem to foster will have a detrimental effect to any long-term opportunities.'' And Mr. Madeiros said: "While it is vital that we protect the rights and opportunities of Bermudians, we must also never lose sight of the significance international business plays in our economy.

Belco chief calls for policy rethink "We must treat our foreign workforce with sensitivity and fairness as they are making a tremendous contribution to our Island.'' Mr. Madeiros spoke out in his year-end message to shareholders in the utility firm.

He said his previous report had expressed the hope that the February Budget statement -- the Progressive Labour Party's first full financial blueprint -- would give a much clearer view of policy.

But he added: "Although we do have their General Election platform, which sets out a great number of thoughts and intents, the Government has not articulated a co-ordinated and integrated plan from that document which would provide a clear understanding of where we are going and what steps are planned for the future.

"An overall plan that included extensive dialogue with all the stakeholders would better anticipate the consequences and ramifications of change and hence afford Government the opportunity to reduce the impact of their intended policy changes to a minimum.'' Mr. Madeiros stressed that Belco was committed to opportunities for Bermudians, as well as promoting "racial and gender sensitivities''.

He said: "The standard work permit policy being proposed of six years, with the possibility of an additional three, appears to be a mechanism that Government intends to use to support Bermudianisation and eliminate long-term residency concerns.'' But he insisted: "I would suggest that these two issues not be addressed by term limits.

"They are two distinct and separate issues that in fact can be handled quite simply without causing undue concern with our foreign workers.

"The present system is effective in support of Bermudianisation and those who try to abuse it should be dealt with strongly.'' And he said a waiver -- whether part of a work permit or not -- could be used to ram home the fact that overseas workers could not gain a long-term residency certificate.

Mr. Madeiros added: "Since international business is the number one revenue earner for the Country, it has become vitally important for all in Bermuda to understand its significance to our future success.

"It is equally important that we, especially the Government, continue to work on establishing trust and productive relationships with international companies.'' And he said: "Now is the time for the Government to sit down with all their stakeholders and collectively determine where we want to be in the next five, ten, fifteen years.

"We must clearly define the policies, programmes, infrastructure, etc. that will be required in order to move the Country to each stage both economically and socially.'' Gary Madeiros