Race reporting in the workplace can now be done without the red tape with the launch of Internet-based forms yesterday.

A user-friendly web package is now available to help companies tell government about the racial breakdown of their workforce as required by law for the Commission for Racial Equality.

Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister said eCURE would allow firms to manage and file data electronically.

He said: "Leading up to the passage of the regulations, concern was raised by certain sectors of the business community that collection of the information being requested by CURE was time consuming and burdensome.

"This process eliminates that. People registered with CURE will be able to do all of their work via the e-mail and Internet.

"It is easy to use, includes detailed help icons and will provide two main options for employers.'' The first option allows employers to assemble data on job applicants, promotions and the reasons that employees left.

It can then be sent at the push of a button eliminating the need for mailing forms.

A second option allows firms to collect this data as they go along so they can see how they are doing and then send it when they are ready.

The database will give a breakdown of their workforce and those people who have left as well as reasons for their departures. It will only monitor job applicants who have reached the interview stage. Those who failed to get that far will not be logged.

Mr. Lister said: "It is important to note entry of data by the employer during the review cannot be accessed by CURE.

"While the employer is working in eCURE the data is the sole property of the employer until such time as the employer officially transmits it to CURE.'' The Minister said there were other built-in safeguards.

He said: "If you are not authorised to access it, you won't be able to.

"Only authorised persons will have access to their own company's data and at no time will anyone else have access to that company's data.

"In other words Company A will not be able to, due to the firewalls that have been built, mistakenly access Company B's information.'' To sign up to the eCURE package employers can call CURE at 296-0613 or e-mail cure yibl.bm.