of status under new legislation.

Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman made the announcement yesterday.

In 1989 Government suspended discretionary grants for foreigners who had worked here at least seven years.

The five-year moratorium runs out in July.

New legislation on discretionary grants will be presented to the House of Assembly shortly, Mr. Pearman said.

And he told MPs there would be no returning to the pre-1989 position.

People without Bermudian family connections will not be eligible for discretionary grants, he stressed.

Mr. Pearman later told The Royal Gazette his Ministry had been working for several months on changes to the Immigration Protection Act 1956.

"I hope to table the amendments soon after the recess, which will be in a few weeks.'' MPs yesterday also heard claims about foreigners being taken on as "slave labour''.

The allegations came from Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott.

He said foreigners were being hired for temporary posts, which were too badly paid for Bermudians.

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