New teeth for race relations watchdog CURE will not mean employers being forced to hire less-qualified candidates on racial grounds, Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister insisted during Friday's debate on the new measure. He said: "We wish to categorically state that we are not promoting racial quotas which, under the American system, seek to assign jobs to individuals based solely on race.'' And Mr. Lister said employers' bodies had been consulted throughout the year over the matter.

However, Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said the Employers Council had only seen the concrete proposals on Wednesday, giving it no time to consult its members.

Under the new Act, companies which do not register with CURE will be fined $1,000. Those which fail to provide required information will be fined $5,000.

Employees will be required to fill in a form detailing their race. Their company will collect the information and pass it on to CURE.

Mr. Lister added: "Equal opportunity does not mean persons must be hired regardless of their qualifications. Employers must hire suitably qualified persons.

"However where an employer's workforce fails to reflect the demographics of the broader community, steps should be taken to assist those under represented groups to acquire the skills necessary to compete.

"Racial discrimination is unlawful. It harms society as well as the individuals concerned and it is a waste of talent and potential. Action is needed and it is needed now, if there is to be sustained and widespread progress on racial equality.'' Opposition Development and Opportunity spokesman Allan Marshall welcomed the new law and pointed out that CURE had been set up by the United Bermuda Party.

No racial quotas He said: "The Act before us today seems to indicate Government believes that voluntary compliance is not working in Bermuda. If that is the case, then certainly we support -- in principle -- this amendment.'' But he added: "Ultimately, the employment of our people is both necessary and expected in our world class modern society and so the Government must ensure that any policies they bring forward don't jeopardise either our people's ambitions or a businesses' viability.'' This theme was echoed by UBP Leader Pam Gordon who urged Government not to throw the baby out with the bath water and scare away business.

She said: "If international business finds this too onerous, it will be a step backward.'' Transport Minister Ewart Brown interjected: "How much racism should be tolerated?'' Government backbencher Dale Butler commended the legislation, stating that although much progress has been made in the area of race relations, legislation was still necessary to ensure that progress would continue.

And he assured that international businesses would not have to fear "Gestapo raids'' regarding the racial makeup of their workplace.

Mr. Butler said most international businesses in Bermuda were "sensitive to this issue, and they are trying''.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson said he had problems with "insinuations'' from the Opposition that international businesses might have racist policies.

And he said that in his experience, international business personalities have been "in the forefront of integration, leaving behind some Bermudian companies''.

Mr. Marshall assured that the Opposition had "the utmost respect'' for international businesses and was sure that they had "no racist policies whatsoever''.

But he wanted reassurance that the legislation would not affect Bermuda's competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Terry Lister said Government was looking to promote "workplace fairness'' based on ability.

He mentioned the Bank of Bermuda, noting that they had primarily "black girls as tellers across the board''.

Mr. Lister said he would like to see in situations like that, instances where people are trained and eventually promoted.

"We're trying to fix some serious problems,'' he noted, stating that CURE was not just about race, but concerned with bringing "good business practices into line''.

When the bill went into committee, Mr. Marshall questioned why age discrimination did not factor into the act.

And Shadow Environment Minister Gary Pitman wanted assurances that information submitted to CURE by businesses would only be used for CURE purposes.

Terry Lister said the issue of age discrimination was outside CURE's jurisdiction, but there was a secrecy clause in the legislation which assured information intended for CURE could not be used for other purposes.

Mr. Marshall questioned what would happen if an employer refused CURE's suggestions -- and Mr. Lister admitted that if they didn't cooperate, nothing could be done.

But Mr. Lister said if that happened often enough, the Act could be amended.