on work permits.

And he said the Island's international business got a smooth passage -- while local firms looking to employ overseas expertise suffered a rough time.

But yesterday Immigration Minister Paula Cox denied the claims and insisted all work permit applications -- from whatever sector -- were done strictly by the book.

And she pointed out that it was individual applications which mattered -- not which area of Island business they came from.

But the businessman insisted: "Government has this love affair with offshore companies, but they have no idea about local firms.

"We need the expertise as well -- but the way we're being treated is totally different.'' He said local firms had to jump through a host of hoops to employ overseas employees.

"They kind of twist the rules when it comes to international business, but we don't get any breaks at all,'' he said.

The company chief -- who employs a tiny fraction of overseas workers in his substantial workforce -- said he did not want to be named for fear of repercussions.

He added: "I don't want to be identified. I'm just afraid that I'll be victimised if I went public. They would just do a number on me.'' The businessman claimed one example of problems for non-offshore firms was controversy surrounding Elbow Beach boss Bill Shoaf's work permit.

He said Mr. Shoaf's work permit was due for annual renewal last November, but the decision was put off until April -- when he was given a six-month-only deal.

The businessman claimed that Mr. Shoaf planned to leave in November anyway for a new job.

But he said: "I was appalled by this -- that's a horrible precedent to set.'' And he said any hotel giant eyeing Bermuda with a view to investment in the struggling tourism industry would now take a second look -- including the Camberley Group, currently considering taking over the old Club Med property in St. George's.

The businessman said: "I would say that the Camberley Group is probably looking somewhere else now.

"I would certainly look twice if I was thinking of investing a lot of money in Bermuda.'' But Ms Cox said: "I don't think we operate a double standard -- there are constantly meetings which involve a mix of hotels, international companies, local business, the construction industry and everyone else.'' Ms Cox added she was well aware that a number of Island businesses -- especially small local businesses -- had to have access to overseas workers and she was sympathetic to their problems.

But she added that the level of argument and time needed to convince Immigration officials of the need for a work permit was inevitably greater for lower-skill jobs than for firms which required a high level of knowledge and expertise which was clearly in scarce supply on the Island.

"Clearly there is talent in Bermuda and where there isn't a high level of technical expertise required, you have to have a very persuasive argument to get a work permit,'' she said.

"We will give everyone a fair hearing. Immigration is a very delicate thing, but I'm not giving any play to international, rather than local business.''