Assembly this year.

Civil servants are currently honing a major bill which will signal a new era for Bermuda's employees and employers.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said the bill, likely to be "fair employment legislation'', would cover all manner of workplace issues -- from pay, hours and termination. At present, Ms Cox said, workers were covered in the main part by codes of practice but the new Act would ensure definitive law.

"There is a gap, and there is a clear need for it,'' she said. "It will be major legislation for workers, but it will also benefit employers.'' Hours of work and other conditions will form a large part of the legislation, which the Minister hopes will come before MPs before November. In addition, legislation will also be introduced to "empower employees who seek to be represented by a union''.

And a new Labour Standards Bill will aim to become an Islandwide benchmark for employment conditions.