Opposition leader Kim Swan has urged Immigration Minister David Burch not to try to clamp down on public debate on the controversial term limits policy.

It comes after Senator Burch accused Chamber of Commerce president Phil Barnett of seriously damaging 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 the policy is hurting Bermudian-owned businesses.

But at a press conference Immigration Minister David Burch attacked Mr. Barnett for voicing public criticism which he branded an attempt to bully.

He said: "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."

Last night Mr. Swan said he was disappointed with Sen. Burch's reaction. He said: "Bermuda needs to encourage open dialogue, not shut it down.

"We believe the public should know the thinking surrounding matters of public interest and the term limit policy is clearly a matter of public interest."

Mr. Swan said the Chamber's statement last week reflected the fact that many businesses remain confused about the term limit policy and Government needed to do more work.

"Instead of going negative on his relationship with the Chamber, we believe the Minister should rise above his feelings, acknowledge the concerns of business and recognise that clarity not confrontation is what this issue requires," said Mr. Swan.

He said no one in Bermuda was against the need to protect the Bermudian worker in the workplace.

"But it is in everyone's interest that the Government be clear not just on the overall aim of the policy but also on the details, which businesses clearly continue to struggle with," said Mr. Swan.

"This is an important issue for the country and we need to do a better job. All businesses, local and international, depend on it. We don't need a badly-handled term limit policy."

Mr. Barnett had argued Government had previously said employers could make a case that all sectors of employment could be considered key but Sen. Burch recently labeled attempts to get pot washers key employee status an abuse of the process.

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

The term limits policy restricts most expatriate workers to six-year terms although some can get longer stays or exemptions.