senators from all parties expressing their support for the piece of legislation.

The Human Rights Amendment Act, described by Sen. Jeanette Cannonier (Ind) as "a giant step forward'', makes it illegal for employers not to provide equal pay for equal work, subject to seniority, a merit system or output.

Sen. Angelita Fox (UBP) said that the bill marked only the beginning of attempts to banish discrimination from the workplace.

"With the increased number of women in the work force it can't stand without us doing something about,'' she said.

Sen. Yvette Swan (UBP) said: "The fact is that women will now have an avenue of complaint where it can be dealt with.

"If we look at it rationally I think history has it that the man is head of the family. But in this day and age many women head families and I believe if women are paid equally to men then immediately the family status improves.'' Some Senators argued that the legislation did not go far enough. Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott said he was concerned with the ability of the Human Rights Commission to investigate pay related matters and called for new employment legislation to be brought to the House.

And several Senators pointed out that the Act would not only benefit women but any worker who was being discriminated against.

The Act was passed without any calls for an amendment.

The Condominium Amendment Act was also passed yesterday without controversy.

The Act extends the definition of the word unit to include land on three condominium sites owned by the Bermuda Housing Corporation.