By Robin Smith Government has been considering new time limits on work permits, it emerged yesterday.

But the idea was shot down by an international study group which warned the business community would suffer.

The group also concluded not enough young black males were entering the Island's booming insurance industry.

"Current immigration laws are well accepted by the insurance community as a whole,'' the group stated. "Some fear that the establishment of hard and fast rules would be detrimental to the industry as a whole.

"Particularly controversial is the proposed legislation that would limit work permits to a maximum of nine years time.'' Labour Minister Maxwell Burgess declined to comment on that proposal until reading the recently-released study.

These recommendations were just a few of the 38 presented by a group of 14 international scholars sponsored by the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies (BFIS).

Titled "How Bermuda can maintain its intellectual capacity in human resource and remain a global competitor in the international insurance industry'', the draft proposals were created after a three-week study which examined education, infrastructure, immigration and industry trends.

"Bermuda should not only focus on internal differences of nationality, sex, age or class, but should look to the future of the country of Bermuda and motivate Bermudians to get specialised education, international experience and build international relationships of trust and respect that will put Bermudians in global control of the Bermuda insurance industry,'' concluded scholar David Huffman. The report -- divided into primary, standard and anecdotal recommendations -- targets education, tourism, international business, and Government as key areas of development. According to BFIS, the local insurance industry -- with some 3,000 employees -- generates more than $100 million in assets.

But "young black males'' were singled out as having a"negative perception towards the international business industry''. "There is a shortage of young Bermudian males entering the insurance industry. They seem attracted to the blue collar jobs,'' the report claims.

"By placing role models before them that they can identify with, they will receive added motivation to strive for careers in this industry.'' A careers office to provide motivation, advice and work skills to both students and working professionals was also suggested. And increased scholarship opportunities, extending the Bermuda College from a two- to four-year programme, providing computer access for all primary and secondary school students, and encouraging second and third language proficiency were all urged.

The report also said experienced Bermudians working overseas should be brought home to fill Island vacancies.

And direct flights -- "possibly through a Bermuda-based airline'' -- to the Cayman Islands, Chicago, Latin America, and Europe, would save time and money for business travellers. But current visitor accommodations and support service technology needed to be upgraded.

A 175-page document used by the scholars to create the recommendations will be made available in September.

GOVERNMENT GVT