in immigration policy announced this week.

It called this week's announcement by Mr. Adolf Luttke, of the Chamber of Commerce "extraordinary''.

Mr. Luttke said this weekend that "unreasonable bureaucracy'' had been altered to encourage international business.

But PLP public relations officer, Ms Paula Cox said: "It is extraordinary that such a definite shift in immigration policy towards contract workers comes not from the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs the Hon. Irving Pearman, but from the private sector.'' Ms Cox said Immigration appeared to have streamlined procedures to encourage international business in Bermuda.

"But there must be a balanced and measured approach, taking into account the interests of both the international business community and the present and future interests of Bermudians,'' she said. "However, ... Government must also be mindful that while open-handed policies encourage a thriving international business community, it must not overlook the obvious -- Bermuda and the interests of Bermudians must be its first and paramount consideration.''