make-up of the workforce following fears the survey could be divisive and hamper attempts to create workforce unity.

For the first time this year, the Government has included the question of race in its Employment Survey. However, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce felt collecting such statistics could be divisive and would hold up efforts to create racial harmony within the workforce.

Yesterday the two sides met face-to-face to try to resolve the differences and reached a compromise over the way the issue is handled this year.

As a result of the meeting, instead of an employee handing back a form to their boss, they will be able to return it within a sealed envelope, provided for them, so the information remains private.

Miss Carolyn Mello, the Chamber's executive vice-president, said: "We discussed the impact of an employer collecting the information and the fact that it could be divisive.

"Our objection to the questionnaire was mostly with respect to the methods used. We agreed that using envelopes will help in many cases and we will advise our members to comply with the law and send the forms out,'' she added.

After the meeting, the Minister for Human Affairs, the Hon. Jerome Dill, said it had proved to be a useful meeting where he was able to find out at first hand about the Chamber's concerns.

"It was a useful meeting and we understand that the Chamber hold their concerns very deeply.

"Once the difficulties perceived by the Chamber were pointed out, we have undertaken to review the entire process of collecting the information and there might be changes next year depending on the outcome of the current proceedings,'' said Mr. Dill.