The Bermuda Industrial Union is hoping to set up a temporary employment service for hotel workers who lost their jobs as a result of Hurricane Fabian.

President Derrick Burgess said there were many companies looking to employ people on a short term basis, for example to help with landscaping and clearance, and said there were many men and women who were looking for odd hustles.

However, he said, at the moment, they had no way of making contact with each other.

But Mr. Burgess said he hoped to talk to Labour and Home Affairs Minister Randolph Horton about the idea later this week in an effort to set up a central point of contact.

"I talked to the Minister right after the hurricane about setting up a desk for employment," said Mr. Burgess.

"We need somewhere where people can go when they need temporary workers, so if a firm needs a fellow for three days, they can get someone.

"And there are people out there who need a hustle right now. We need to make it easier for people to get that sort of hustle.

"You may not need work for six months, but instead just a little hustle here and there. And, likewise, there will be companies who don't want a worker for six months, but just a few days."

The president said he was hoping a central location could be found to house the desk, and said he would be happy for it to be based at the BIU on Union Street.

However, he said it may be better to have the desk at the Government offices, as part of an expanded Labour and Training department.

"If we can get this going, it would help a lot," said Mr. Burgess.

"I think all hands are still needed on deck until things are back straight on the Island, so companies are looking for people. If the work is there, we should be helping people to get it.

"I am going to see if we can get with the Minister this week to get it going."

But Mr. Burgess said the union was also working with Government in a bid to secure financial assistance for workers at Southampton Princess, Sonesta and Stonington hotels who have either lost their jobs or large parts of their income due to the closure of the hotels since Fabian struck.

Hotels were among the worst hit on the Island during the hurricane, and both Southampton Princess and Sonesta are likely to be closed well into next year. Stonington Hotel is closing later this month.

Mr. Burgess said while some workers were still being paid their flat rate, a number relied heavily on tips and so would need financial aid to see them through until the hotels were repaired and re-opened.

"We are working with financial assistance for workers at Sonesta and the Princess who were hit by the hurricane," he added.

"Although some may still get their basic rate of pay, which after reductions could be $180 a week, those people would still need some assistance."

However, he said talks with Government about financial aid were still on-going and he was not sure, as yet, when the help would come, or how it would work.

Health Minister Patrice Minors stated during the weeks after the hurricane that both her Ministry and the Ministry of Finance were eager to provide some financial aid to hotel workers who lost their jobs as a result of the storm.

However, The Royal Gazette was unable to reach her last night to ascertain when the programme would begin, or Mr. Horton to ask about the possibility of an employment desk.