and bosses could be on the way.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said on Friday: "Our ultimate goal is to create an environment of industrial relations harmony and goodwill, essential to Bermuda's economic growth and in order to maintain the well-being of all residents.'' Ms Cox added: "With the wide range of changes in industrial relations both internationally and locally, it's appropriate on the eve of the new millenium for the Government to take a critical look at how the industrial relations system works in Bermuda today and its basic path of development in the future.'' And she said Government might have to look at employment tribunals and courts, new employment legislation and how that would fit in with current labour laws.

Ms Cox said the International Labour Organisation's 1944 declaration in Philadelphia setting out the agenda for workers' rights and labour relations held true today.

She said: "In today's competitive environment, employers and unions are striving to forge a new partnership based on respect and mutual understanding.

"There is competition and it is global -- Bermuda is not isolated or insulated from the world stage.

"While labour and management must continue to attend to their different and sometimes differing objectives, the paradigm requires that the parties -- labour, management and the Government, gain a greater level of trust and confidence in each other.'' Ms Cox added the PLP's campaign platform for last year's election had stressed a new deal to improve labour relations and promote Bermudians in the workplace.

She said that she heard "myriad'' stories about workers treated badly by employers.

But she added that others were "working tirelessly'' to resolve labour relations problems.

Ms Cox said: "We may need to investigate such areas as employment tribunals, employment courts, introducing employment legislation and its amalgamation with existing labour laws.'' But she warned: "Such a study will require cooperation, a spirit of compromise and commitment from all the parties.'' And Ms Cox said: "Only in this way will we keep faith with the spirit of the ILO's declaration that all people have the right to pursue their material and spiritual development in conditions of freedom, dignity, economic security and equal opportunity.'' Paula Cox Graphic file name: PCOXX