LABOUR & Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton yesterday said opponents of his bill to make time-and-a-half overtime payments mandatory for all non-professional staff should question their "profit is king mentality".

And he said the blocking of the overtime bill by Opposition and Independent Senators this week was "a slap in the face" to Bermudian workers.

A written statement from Mr. Horton read: "Quite frankly, it is indecent for those who oppose overtime pay to be more concerned about business costs than the costs to employees who deserve the right to premium pay for premium time.

"Clearly, those who oppose overtime pay need to look deep into their consciences and question their 'profit is king' mentality.

"The Opposition and Independent Senators would like us to believe that employees are delighted to work without overtime pay for up to 70 hours per week. Like the proverbial ostrich, these Senators have hidden behind their wishful thinking that people will make official complaints if they feel pressured or feel that they have no choice but to accept overtime hours without overtime pay.

"Their expectation is unrealistic at best. Without a law in place, workers are reluctant to complain for fear of losing their jobs, work permits or overtime opportunities altogether."

Mr. Horton added that the promotion of "Decent Work" was a global initiative of the International Labour Organisation and continued: "Bermuda cannot claim to be a modern, sophisticated economy whilst allowing employees to work inhuman hours without adequate compensation."

Senators sent the Employment Amendment Act back to the House of Assembly this week, after they voted six votes to five to reject the overtime clause. Mr. Horton must now wait a year before he can reintroduce the bill.