Bermudians must work hard and set higher standards if they are to replace overseas staff in the Island's top jobs, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown warned on Friday night.

He said the Island needs foreign workers but it was "embarrassing'' to see how few Bermudians were holding the reins of power.

The "4.55 syndrome'' -- where staff get ready five minutes early in preparation for leaving at 5 p.m. on the dot -- and the "it's not my job syndrome'' were examples of a poor work ethic among Bermudians.

Dr. Brown warned that the education system needs to be improved and sub-standard work performance consigned to the history books if Bermudians are to rise to the top.

Speaking in the House of Assembly as MPs voted for statutory rights for workers for the first time, he said: "All the legislation in the world won't improve the ethic in the workplace.

"Bermuda needs overseas workers. We cannot maintain this economy or improve on it without outside labour.

"While that is true, we must out of self-respect minimise that to the greatest extent possible and be as self-contained and sufficient as we can possibly be.

"Our education system, if we want to make outselves self-contained, must promote the talent, energy and vision we need.

"It is embarrassing to me as a Bermudian to acknowledge the number of positions that Bermudians should be occupying and they are nowhere to be found.

"It is our education system that we must re-design to produce the people we need to become self-sufficient. Every other country on the planet does it and we cannot have an excuse.'' Bermudian children must see their elders as "movers and shakers'' as Bermudians begin to fill the top jobs and reduce dependency.

"We must begin to set high standards and not be afraid to reach that, and not be associated with sub-optimal performances. There is no substitute for hard work.

"Hard work is acceptable, it is necessary, and it is critical if we are to become self-contained.'' Dr. Brown called on workers to "stop confusing service with servitude''.

Service was a skill which was essential to provide a high quality experience for vacationers, whereas servitude was degrading.

"Our beaches and our water have been attractive to people for years and it is the interpersonal experience that causes people to want to return to our country and therefore service must be at the forefront.'' Dr. Brown added: "We have to remember, work is work -- not punishment! Because I am an employer that doesn't mean I don't work. This law will protect me as well, because I work.

"I believe this legislation will go down in our history as the cornerstone for a new Bermuda.'' Dr. Ewart Brown: slams Bermuda work ethic