Immigration Minister David Burch is urging Cabinet to introduce an English competency policy for guest workers after complaints about employees who can't communicate. And he also warned that Government would be coming after employers who harboured illegal immigrants with joint operations with Police planned for the near future.

Senator Burch told the Senate yesterday: "We continue to receive complaints about persons coming from countries where English is not their first language, who cannot speak a word of English.

"In fact we received word recently from one hotelier that they had to repatriate an employee, within days of their arrival, who could not speak a word of English.

Unfortunately there are some employers who would rather keep employees who cannot communicate with their customers. This is frustrating to those who use these services and will no longer be tolerated.

"If Cabinet supports the policy proposal, we will consult with the business community before finalising and publishing it."

Chamber of Commerce president Philip Barnett said: "I would have to agree that particularly in hospitality, which is so heavily staffed by a lot of expatriates these days, that it is pretty important that they have a solid command of speaking English."

But he cautioned for people not to condemn people who spoke good English with heavy accents.

"I think if it's a written English test it allows everyone to come up to the same competency issue," said Mr. Barnett.

Senator Burch also announced other get tough Immigration measures yesterday. He said: "I am sure that you read in yesterday's daily of the case of the visitor who admitted to overstaying and his host admitting to harbouring an illegal alien. "This court action was the result of a team effort between the Department of Immigration and the Bermuda Police Service. "While I will not comment further on the circumstances of this particular case as it is sub judice, I can assure you that this will not be the last person that will be appearing before the courts.

"I am serving notice on employers and individuals who choose to contravene the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act that we will be coming after them. The Department will be forging an even closer relationship with the Bermuda Police Service.

"Our Compliance Section and the Central Community Action Team are planning similar joint operations in the near future."