The Chamber of Commerce (COC) says urgent action is needed to grow Bermuda’s working population after a spate of established retailers called it quits amid the Island’s struggling economy.All Wrapped Up, Carole Holding, Foreign Cargo, Wheel’s Cycles, and the St George’s Crisson’s store, have all closed in the last month or are closing down next month — unable to even hang on through the Christmas period.COC president Ronnie Viera said yesterday it’s also critical the current payroll tax concession continues until there is economic recovery.Mr Viera said that COC Retail chairwoman Paula Clarke last week expressed the seriousness of the situation and they “expect there will be others considering their future viability” as well.“There are no quick fixes but as has been said many times, the reduction in the number of people paying into the economy is a significant factor in our overall decline” Mr Viera said.“When $100 million is removed from the economy, businesses and jobs will most certainly be at risk. We hear about efforts to get unemployed Bermudians back to work, which is critical, but I don’t believe the Government have acknowledged the impact on the economy of the significant loss of guest workers over the past two to three years.“There needs to be a clear strategy to grow the working population followed up by urgent action.”Mr Viera added: “Unfortunately, as this is election season, no one in Government wants to talk about bringing more people to the Island however, that is the stimulus we need to get the economy going again. When that happens, more jobs will be available for Bermudians.”Yesterday, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Patrice Minors said that on Friday she met with several business leaders as part of the ongoing work permit review process. After an eight-hour meeting Ms Minors said there would be further consultation before new work permit policies were implemented “in the coming weeks”.After 17 years in business, landmark Washington Mall store, All Wrapped Up, is closing its doors next month, blaming the economic downturn for plunging sales.The gift and card store’s owner Peter Richold said two jobs will be lost.Mr Richold said he just couldn’t hang on any longer in the Island’s continuing recession and the outlook for Christmas was “not good”.“Business is just getting progressively worse,” he said.November will also see the closure of the Carole Holding store on Front Street. It’s also been open 17 years.And Burnaby Street retailer Foreign Cargo has closed its doors, with the loss of three jobs. Owner Gaylynne Cannonier blamed the economic climate, saying it was “not an easy decision to make”.In the East End, St George’s lost Crisson’s jewellery store, which closed citing lack of tourist business.