services comes under spotlight at a six-day conference in Bermuda today.

Fifteen countries will be represented at the annual Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA) conference at the Belmont Hotel.

Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman will officially open it this morning.

Bermuda last hosted the conference in 1980.

This time it will be chaired by Progressive Labour Party MP Mr. Eugene Blakeney, general secretary of the Bermuda Public Services Association.

He will also become president of the CPSA for the next year.

Mr. Blakeney said the conference would continue a theme from last year -- "the survival of public servants in the 21st century.'' It would focus on efforts by some Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Trinidad, and Guyana, to restructure their civil services to meet loan conditions set by the International Monetary Fund.

Explained Mr. Blakeney: "Restructuring sometimes means reducing civil services, and cuts in pay.

"We will also discuss other issues, such as those involving the environment.'' Around 30 overseas delegates, with a small Bermudian contingent, will attend the conference.