A Government Minister's call for an overseas recruitment policy to reflect the racial mix of Bermuda got a mixed response yesterday.

Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister had jumped the gun on the issue.

And David Ezekiel of the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce said the call was unlikely to cause a major alteration in recruiting policy.

Mr. Dunkley said: "I'm the first to stand up for everybody's rights -- the rights of all people must be respected. But there's a right way and a wrong way of doing things.

"There is a flourishing economy here and if certain sections are stunted in their ability to get ahead, there are ways of dealing with that.'' Mr. Dunkley spoke out after Mr. Lister suggested in a TV interview that recruiters who had to look overseas should target black candidates.

The Minister said this would reflect the Island's majority population and provide examples for young black Bermudians to follow.

Mr. Ezekiel said: "I don't think we would change in the way we do things -- we look for the best Bermudians, then we look for the best candidates from the people who come in front of us.'' He added that the prime concern of the offshore sector was to attract and retain the best Bermudian talent.

Mr. Ezekiel said: "It's certainly important for youngsters to have role models, but I think there are enough young Bermudians coming in international business and elsewhere to do that.'' And he added: "I feel that the young Bermudians in international business don't get as much credit as they should for making it happen themselves.'' But he admitted that the call could give companies pause for thought in their recruitment policies. Mr. Dunkley pointed out that Immigration was part of Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox's portfolio. Ms Cox did not return calls from The Royal Gazette .

And he said Mr. Lister should have "put a good deal of thought'' into the matter before speaking in public.

Mr. Dunkley added: "This kind of thing could send people scurrying away from our shores.

"There is no doubt Bermuda is booming. It's very hard for businesses to fill jobs.

"It looks like the Minister might be saying it may be even more difficult to run your business in the future.'' Mr. Dunkley added: "If the Minister is worried about this, we should have mentoring and training programmes for Bermudians which work -- it might not show results immediately, but it will work.'' And he said: "We're here to work together and get along. I think blacks and whites will be concerned by the Minister's statements.'' Mr. Ezekiel said international business traditionally recruited in the UK and Canada -- both largely white -- for posts like accountants and accounting executives due to availability, unlike the US.

But he added: "It might make some firms think about where they go for their recruiting. There are qualified accountants all over the world.

"And if we were using, for example, the islands in the Caribbean there might be some people down there keen to come to Bermuda.'' And Mr. Ezekiel said: "At the end of the day, we in international business have to fit in with not only what's right, but with what the community feels to be right.

"If the Minister is addressing that, we have to look at it.'' Mr. Lister was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment. Bermuda International Business Association chief Glenn Titterton did not return calls from The Royal Gazette .

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