Union chief Kevin Grant says that a boost for international business on the Island could bring economic benefit — but that Bermudians needed to be sold on the sector.

Mr Grant said: “When people hear about people coming to our shore, there is some pushback about that — they always want to know whether there will be a balanced approach and we get people in here who do jobs Bermudians can’t do and whether there is a succession plan in place.”

The president of the white collar BPSU was speaking after he attended the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce post-Budget breakfast at the Hamilton Princess yesterday morning.

Mr Grant said: “I’m pretty sure everybody who was at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast wants to encourage inward investment.

“But people need educating on how international business is a win-win because there are still a lot of people who have that pushback.

“The Government is gung ho on making sure foreign investors are interested in this Island, but there needs to be a broader education of the masses.

“It’s educating people about the benefits and the role international business plays in Bermuda.”

He added that people needed to be reassured about how a boost to pension funds provided by overseas workers would help them.”

But he said: “There needs to be a balance where a future is provided for Bermudians.

“There is a segment of the community who need to be educated about the real benefits international business brings this Island — and Government needs to be sure those who come here bring benefits to the Island.”

And Mr Grant warned that the Island could not rely on the international sector alone and that tourism also needed major work to restore it to a big earner for Bermuda.

And he said: “There needs to be other revenue generating things that we need to look at.”

Mr Grant added that BPSU general secretary Edward Ball — who spoke at the breakfast summit — had stressed the need for collaborative effort and full consultation on potential flashpoints like Civil Service cuts or privatisation of public services.

He said: “That collaborative effort needs to be a priority and it’s important that all the stakeholders come to the table and seek solutions.”

Mr Grant added: “There are going to be a lot of things coming down the pipeline — Civil Service reform, the SAGE Commission report, pension reform and the downsizing of the Civil Service.

“Mr Richards did say he doesn’t want to see layoffs — but these are serious issues we are going to have to be focused on so we can go forward together and work for the survival of this country.”