Angry Immigration Minister Sen. David Burch believes Chamber of Commerce president Phil Barnett has seriously damaged a "good working relationship" by publicly claiming Government had sent mixed messages on work permit term limits.

Mr. Barnett said in Saturday's The Royal Gazette that Government had a reneged on a promise to consider exemptions for employees at all levels of the career ladder.

And he said the policy, which axes most expatriate workers after six years, is hurting Bermudian-owned businesses.

But at a press conference yesterday, Immigration Minister David Burch hit out at Mr. Barnett for voicing public criticism.

Senator Burch said he was disappointed his efforts in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce last week to cover the complex issues of the economy, immigration and law and order had been "reduced to the selfish interests of one segment of the community".

Sen. Burch added: "This Government is doing what is the right thing for all the people of this country so telling me that 'I want what I want' is not the best way to maintain a partnership."And no, I don't think that a pot washer should be considered a key employee.

"The assertion that every effort is made to employ Bermudians in this industry rings a little hollow when we can recruit over 200 people to work on the Hustle Truck."

Sen. Burch said talks were still going on with employers who had argued term limits were unnecessary under current Bermuda law.

He said:"That review is ongoing and I anticipate being in a position to respond shortly."The repeated threat that term limits will see businesses leave Bermuda doesn't add up when one learns of the record profits that have been generated under this very same vilified Progressive Labour Party Government.

"You cannot have a partnership built on mutual trust and respect if every time one side doesn't get its way they run to the media to complain."

Sen. Burch, who complained of an attempt to bully Government into caving in, said no amount of scaremongering and threats would influence his responsibility to protect the rights of Bermudians clamouring daily for Government to protect their birthright.

Asked why he expected others to keep quiet while his speech was widely carried by the media, Sen. Burch responded: "My point is this I said nothing in the public forum that I had not discussed with them first."

Last night Mr. Barnett stood by his remarks that Government had given mixed messages on who could get key employee status. But he denied the Chamber had vilified the PLPand pointed out it was a politically neutral body.

Mr. Barnett said he hadn't touched on other subjects mentioned in Sen. Burch's speech because he had specifically been asked about one aspect.

He said he been in a seminar hosted by the Assistant Chief Immigration officer two years ago who had also indicated all types of employees could be considered for key employee status. And in December 2006, then Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess said key workers could be found "at all levels and in all areas of a business" and that as well as senior management roles, key staff could include technical, professional, clerical and service staff.

But in his speech on Thursday, Sen. Burch had accused employers of abusing the process by applying for pot washers and kitchen porters to be key employees and he said the term limit policy is here to stay.Mr. Barnett said both Sen. Burch's statement and the pronouncements by his predecessor Derrick Burgess had been in the public domain.

"We would be remiss if we did not point out our concerns," said Mr. Barnett. He said he was there to represent his members which sometimes included speaking out publicly.

He added: "The Minister is known as someone who is bluntly honest and I am someone who is bluntly honest. Iam still trying to figure out where his umbrage is."

Mr. Barnett had said more and more employers were saying exemptions were not being granted. Sen. Burch said Government still had five boxes containing about 100 files of key employee applications which had yet to be processed.

"But several hundred have been approved already."