ties from getting status.

The 1989 freezing of discretionary grants of Bermuda status ends in July 1994.

Before the moratorium, people without Bermudian connections -- who had worked here at least seven years -- were eligible for status.

But yesterday Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman told the House of Assembly there would be no return to the pre-1989 position. About 40 grants were made each year.

Mr. Pearman said amendments were being planned to the Immigration laws in readiness for the elapse of the moratorium.

He stressed, however: "We will not be reopening grants to those persons without Bermudian connections.

"The discretionary grant will not be as we knew it before.'' Mr. Pearman said he would come back to the House with the proposed amendments shortly.

The announcement came during the Budget debate of the Labour and Home Affairs Ministry.

Mr. Pearman also disclosed: A Bermuda Status by Birth of Grant register would be completed next month -- it is estimated 13,000 children born to Bermudians will be added to it.

The final draft of a Code of Ethics in the workplace had been drawn up; A labour seminar would be held in July, featuring Government, workers and management; and A professional training officer to help Bermudians find work was being hired to run a $100,000 training council scheme.

Mr. Pearman reaffirmed Government's commitment to training and retraining.

But Opposition MPs tore into Government's record of helping Bermudians find work.

Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott said young black males had been unable to find work.

They were suffering from the legacy of the 1950s and late '40s when they were removed from school at an early age to go out an earn a living.

White males, in contrast, stayed on in education and were "carried by companies''.

Mr. Scott said young blacks were also hit by the closure of the technical school.

The result had been to import foreigners to an "unhealthy degree''.

Foreigners were in certain jobs, keeping out Bermudians, claimed Mr. Scott.

He listed these jobs and the percentage of the non-Bermudian workforce: Car mechanics -- 38 percent; Beauticians -- 65 percent; Butchers -- 63 percent; and Upholsterers -- 55 percent.

He told Mr. Pearman: "You are posing right now. You are giving political rhetoric right now.'' Mr. Scott also claimed employers were taking on temporary staff as "slave labour''.

Bosses were hiring foreigners to fill secretarial posts at wages Bermudians woult not accept.

Mr. Scott said he understood "temps'' could be taken on for no more than three months without reference to the Immigration department.

"I hope the Ministry is adhering to this rule,'' he said, adding the Opposition had heard of abuses.

Mr. Scott also criticised the Government Employment Office, saying it needed to be more "pro-active''.

Mr. Pearman began by discussing the Immigration department.

He said most work permits were still issued on an annual basis, although some were given for up to five years.

In 1993, some 5,226 permits were renewed, he revealed.

Granting Bermuda status was very time-consuming. For instance last year there were 648 inquiries.

Eighty-five status grants were given to wives and children, and 49 people had their status confirmed, said Mr. Pearman.

The Immigration department also had other responsibilities.

Thirteen people were deported, and another 18 were told to leave Bermuda, Mr.

Pearman disclosed.

And 93 people last year were placed on the "stop list'' -- 72 for drug related reasons, and 21 because they were deemed "undesirable''.

"It is interesting to note this covered 16 nationalities.'' The department also processed travel documents, such as visa s and passports.

A Budget allocation of $1,450,000 -- $22,000 up on the previous year -- for the Immigration headquarters was a small price for the taxpayer, said Mr.

Pearman.

The estimate for Immigration at the Airport was $1,235,000 -- a rise of $90,000 over the previous year.

Mr. Pearman also praised staff at the Registry General -- also under his Ministry.

Their work often went unrecognised, he said.

The department's job involved registration of births and deaths, charitable organisations and voters.

Mr. Pearman said while most voters registered, not everybody cast their ballot.

This was the fault of politicians who did not stir up enough excitement among the electorate, he said.

On the labour front, Mr. Pearman made an impassioned plea for better industrial relations.

The plea was directed at management and workers.

Good relations were essential to the economic survival of Bermuda, he stressed.

"All parties must be in the mood to find new creative and cooperative approaches to industrial relations.

"Most of all we request people to change their way of thinking. Labour relations have to change.'' He urged people to be more objective and willing to see the other side's view.

Mr. Pearman revealed 1,020 man days were lost in 1993 because workers withdrew their labour.

He disclosed he had been in favour of repealing legislation which gave birth to the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board.

But his view clashed with those who wanted the law kept.

Mr. Ottiwell Simmons (PLP), MP for Pembroke East, told MPs there was no need for unemployment in Bermuda.

Up to 21 percent of the working population were non-Bermudians, he claimed.

And he accused some employers of discriminating against Bermudians.

Mr. Simmons said one employer was looking for a foreign shipwright when Bermudians were qualified.

He also told of the case of union official Mr. George Scott, claiming he lost his hotel job after reporting to Immigration about 45 Germans being imported to work at the hotel.

Dr. David Dyer (UBP), MP for Pembroke West, strongly defended Government's record on helping Bermudians find work.

Dr. Dyer also rejected Opposition claims about unemployment running at six percent.

The correct figure, based on latest statistics, was 3.34 percent.

Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs Ministry responsibility: "To promote good industrial relations, to ensure compliance with international labour standards, to provide an employment office, health and safety services.'' Budget estimate $4,915,000 (last year $4,597,000) Budget allocation Immigration $2,685,000 Registry General $1,052,000 Ministry headquarters $1,178,000 The Hon. Irving Pearman.