Bermudians who think they can slack off in the workplace because foreigners will get fired before them in the economic downturn have been told to get real by Immigration Minister David Burch.

Addressing the Bermudian work ethic and sense of entitlement he said: "You are not going to get this Immigration Minister to revoke work permits when Bermudians are totally irresponsible in the work place. Can't do it!"

He told the Senate about a Bermudian crane operator fired from his job after a lamentable work record. "He was completely unreliable but this was a multi-million dollar project subject to penalties if it was late."

The company then came to Mr. Burch seeking a temporary work permit for an employee to use that crane while two Bermudians were sent away for training to do the crane operation job.

Then the fired worker came to complain to Immigration, said Sen Burch. "I told him I would fire you myself! The point is we have to step up our game. It is not enough to sit back and think that by some luck of fate that you were born here that you were entitled to something other than a fair opportunity."

He said if guest workers, Permanent Residents Certificate holders and spouses of Bermudians had to be laid off first then Bermudians had to be on their game.

"Because at the end of the day this Country is only going to survive if people do what they are supposed to do, regardless of nationality.

"You cannot have the success we have enjoyed and hope to continue to enjoy if people are slacking off and thinking 'I don't want no guest workers around here but I can continue to do as I please.' It can't work.

"You cannot expect Government to continue to support irresponsible behaviour in relation to business.

"I will probably make no friends but now is the time for sober thinking and actions."