Construction work permits are being vetted by union bosses, it was revealed yesterday.

And a stunned construction firm chief said he only found out about the new policy after an Immigration Department clerk forgot to put his call on hold when asking another staff member where the application was.

The man said: "She asked if it had gone to the Bermuda Industrial Union and another voice said `yes'. Then she came back on the phone and told me it had gone "to another department'.'' The man added: "I don't think this is right -- and they're trying to hide it.

I can't believe it...'' The man said he called back later and told another Immigration office worker that he had been told the application was with the BIU.

He added: "She was shocked that I knew about this. She said they were supposed to tell people it had gone to another department. She said those were the instructions from the Minister. She said it had been going on for two weeks.'' The man said the Immigration staffer had told him that the situation was like an application to bring in an overseas lawyer being examined by the Bermuda Bar Association.

But he added: "If that's the case and these things are to be looked at, it should be the Construction Association which does it.'' BIU president Derrick Burgess -- a Government backbencher and Immigration Board member -- last week denied the union was vetting work permits. But Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox said the construction division of the BIU, like other interested parties, were canvassed on matters where they had knowledge -- but denied that a formal vetting process existed.

Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley, however, said he suspected that Government was "hedging on this question''.

He added: "I know in the past when applications are made -- like for architects and doctors -- their professional associations are consulted.

"But I would be very surprised at consulting the union because Derrick Burgess sits on the Immigration Board and he can provide any information required.

"I have nothing against the union because it obviously represents some construction workers, but there are a number of them who don't fall under the union and they're not getting any representation here.'' Mr. Dunkley stressed he was not against consultation on the grounds the Immigration Board needed to know what was going on.

But he said: "For the union to be consulted and not the Construction Association seems wrong.

"And for the department to apparently try and cover it up is totally against this open and transparent Government they keep talking about.''