give legally-binding employment rights to every worker on the Island.

At present, most employers adhere to a voluntary code of good conduct which recommends certain rights be given to staff.

But if the Employment Act 2000 is passed, workers' rights, which are taken for granted such as holidays and maternity leave, will be enshrined in law.

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) president Derrick Burgess said, at present, workers who were not covered by a union or collective agreement were subject to the whims of employers.

The United Bermuda Party introduced the voluntary code of good conduct in 1996 in response to complaints from workers who felt they were not getting basic rights.

A spokesman for Bermuda Employers Council (BEC), which represents more than 360 companies and supports the code of conduct, said he assumed Government had decided to go for legislation because of continued complaints about some employers.

The first draft of the Act states workers would be entitled to: two weeks holiday after one year; a written contract after one week's employment; a 40-hour week; time and a half, or time off, after 40 hours, with possible exemptions given by the Minister; paid public holidays; a rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours each week; eight days paid sick leave per year; time off for pregnant women during office hours to attend the doctor; eight weeks paid and four weeks unpaid maternity leave after one year; and statutory notice periods.

The Act will also cover issues such as bereavement leave and disciplinary procedures.

An Employment Tribunal will be established and companies can be fined $10,000 if they fail to comply with tribunal decisions.

BEC welcomed the fact that Labour Minister Paula Cox had put the draft out for consultation before tabling it in the House of Assembly, giving plenty of time for input from interested groups.

Mr. Burgess said yesterday: "None of the basic rights are enshrined in law, so with the absence of a union agreement, say on a public holiday, employers don't have to pay extra or have to give maternity leave or sick pay.

"So this is a good basis. In a lot of countries in the Western hemisphere there are basic fundamental rights which are guaranteed, and the Minister is trying to bring Bermuda into the 21st century.

"With the absence of a union agreement, you are at the whim of an employer.''