issuing work permits to non-Bermudians.

Derrick Burgess, president of the Bermuda Industrial Union, said the majority of the 50 to 60 jobs that were the subject of a special Government appeal on Tuesday could be filled by Bermudians.

And he claimed the employers had not taken on Bermudians in the first place because they would not work for lower rates of pay and would not stand for poorer working conditions.

Mr. Burgess was speaking after Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness made a public appeal for people to come forward for certain jobs, that he was poised to sign work permits for.

The Minister gave Bermudians until the end of the week to apply for the positions as dry wallers, steel erectors, welders, nannies, landscape gardeners, waiters and commercial cleaners.

Mr. Burgess said he believed almost all of the jobs could be filled "at home'', and said he knew of steel erectors who were currently doing menial tasks because there wasn't enough work.

And he fired a broadside at the companies for offering lower rates of pay and working conditions that were a retrograde step, that Bermudians would not accept.

He added Government should not allow the employers to offer such conditions -- which overseas workers readily accepted.

"We are not against foreign workers,'' he said. "When companies bring in foreign workers, they are required to work long hours, at straight pay rates and often with no vacations. They are violating this country's standards.

"Bermudians are used to standards that have been achieved -- these people want to take them a step backwards.

"They are tired of going to these people for jobs and then are offered rates that they can't accept. Employers should pay the standard rate and give people benefits that they are used to.'' Mr. Burgess questioned how the Island's infrastructure could support the extra workers, when there wasn't enough accommodation for Bermudians.