Government MPs yesterday fired back at criticisms made by a local business leader.

In a speech earlier this week to the Bermuda Employer's Council, Garry Madeiros, the outgoing president of the BEC, reportedly placed an indirect blame on local unions for continuing poor industrial relations.

But Bermuda Indutrial Union president and Government MP Derrick Burgess strongly rejected the suggestion.

"The remarks about labour relations have not improved, that's not true,'' Mr.

Burgess said yesterday.

"Unions in Bermuda -- particularly our Union -- have been working with our social partners in the last two or three years and we will continue to do that.

"We have had less fights than we've had in the past. I see improvement there.

If he's saying that it's not improved from his side, I really can't speak for it.

"But from our side we feel it has improved.'' Labour leaders defend Immigration understudy programme to point out he was not blaming unions for a stalemate in local labour relations. Instead, he said both management and labour were responsible.

During Wednesday's speech, Mr. Madeiros also questioned a Government policy to link understudy positions with re-newed work permits.

Mr. Madeiros warned the policy -- if widely applied to the 7,000 currently in force -- could drive small enterprises out of business.

Yesterday Minister for Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Paula Cox said the policy had been in place for many years.

"Where a Bermudian who applies for a job is all but qualified and needs some experience, the employer is asked to take on the Bermudian in a training capacity,'' said Ms Cox.

She went on to say she was bound to ensure Bermudians were given opportunities to develop.

Mr. Burgess also attacked Mr. Madeiros' "dangerously-made'' statement regarding the understudy initiative.

While acknowledging it would be impossible to have such a position for every job, Mr. Burgess said it should be pursued whenever possible.

And he went on to suggest limited work permits could help to resolve issues surrounding long term residency of ex-patriate workers.

The Union leader also responded to suggestions from Mr. Madeiros to share arbitration costs, declare the docks an essential service, exclude middle mangers from unions, and set a Government example of non-payment for striking workers.

Mr. Burgess said he supported expert arbitration, but was not in favour of making it compulsory.

However, he said the BIU could not afford to share costs.

And he flatly rejected the idea of strike pay.

"I don't know what he's talking about when he says that,'' Mr. Burgess added.

"We've never paid for strike pay.'' Mr. Burgess also took the opportunity yesterday to say he considered criticisms against himself, Raymond Russell, and Reggie Burrows for joining the Immigration Board "unfair''.

"I see in the morning papers what essentially is a swipe at him (Mr.

Russell),'' he said.

"His reason for being on the Board has nothing to do with his job. Raymond Russell is a born Bermudian and is a good addition to the Board.

"We must remember November 9 is gone, the people have spoken. We didn't make any complaints to them when that board was infested with employers.

GOVERNMENT GVT