Immigration Minister Paula Cox has accused an Opposition MP of being "mischievous'' by claiming the new Government was softer on work permit applications.

Shadow Development and Opportunity Minister Allan Marshall told the House of Assembly on Friday that some work permits could now be issued within one day.

And he claimed that Bermudians were not given "much of a chance to apply'' for jobs.

But Ms Cox defended the Progressive Labour Party's policy on work permits yesterday.

She said the Government wanted to introduce a new computer system to track incoming work permit applications. But she insisted the idea was to speed up the entire process -- not to deliver quick-fire approvals.

"What we saw here was an attempt to be mischievous,'' said Ms Cox. "We are trying to make the process more efficient.

"If an application comes in through a central funnel, we will be able to cut down the turnaround time.

"We have no desire to make it easier for people to get work permits unless there is a clearly-defined need.

"But the process and the paperwork has been sped up. We are not accelerating the approval process of a work permit.''