Bermuda has regressed in terms of race relations, a Senator claimed.

Sen. Milton Scott said the country had taken steps backward and it was time that a legislative code of conduct was established in place of the voluntary one.

He was speaking as the Senate discussed the Criminal Code Amendment Act 1998, which makes it clear that racial harassment can be committed by oral communications as well as other means.

Sen. Scott said it was time, as they progressed toward the new millennium, that there was a level playing field for all.

He said he was tired of seeing people discriminated against because of their age, when many people were still capable of making decisions.

Sen. Yvette Swan said legislation was evolutionary, and some things must be left to the individuals' integrity.

"The message should go out loud and clear that we refuse to have anyone speak to anyone in a derogatory term. People will realise that they could be hauled in front of the court -- then they will think twice before they do it,'' she said.

But Sen. Terry Lister said they had made little progress in 30 years and had only made tiny steps.

He said he was concerned about racism in the workplace and the glass ceiling that was holding blacks back from attaining senior positions.

And he called for some accountability from CURE -- Commission for Unity and Racial Equality -- that it should produce some statistics and reports on the state of racism in Bermuda.

Companies should strive to reflect the 60 percent black majority in the country, he said.

"We need to move from the velvet glove to the iron fist,'' he said.

Sen. Jeanette Cannonier said racism was thriving in Bermuda and commended anything that made improvements in that direction.

Sen. E. T. (Bob) Richards said it was a battle against racism and as time moved on legislation had to be amended. He said there were non-legislative methods of fighting racism that were going on at the same time, that were just as important.

"It is very difficult to legislate what is in the hearts of men,'' he said.

But Sen. Larry Scott argued that racism was not as prominent as others believed.

"We have spent a great deal of human time on this issue,'' he said.

"But there are other things that I consider to be a lot more important such as the education of our children.

"The vast majority of Bermudians are not concerned on a daily basis with racism. If, by some Freudian slip, they're about to make a racist statement their mind goes into overdrive and they don't say it -- they check themselves.'' Sen. Angelita Fox concluded the debate by arguing that racism comes in different forms, "not just black and white''.

And she argued that, the fact that the issue was now being discussed openly, showed that progress was being made.

"It was taboo to talk about it in the past but now we are talking about it,'' she said.

"While the amendment doesn't address all racial practices it certainly addresses some of them.

"But I agree that firm action needs to be continued as far as racial practices in employment.'' After a third reading the Act was passed by the Upper House.