WORKPLACE EQUITY

Governments proposed Workplace Equity Act 2007, which would give Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) powers to fine companies up to $50,000 if they block the progress of black Bermudians, met with heavy emotion on all sides of the issue.

On October 4, Former Cabinet Minister Renee Webb came out against her own Government's proposed workplace quota law, saying Government must fix the education system first. In December, outgoing Bermuda Employers Council boss Willie DeSilva seemed to echo Ms Webb's concerns, saying poor schools were limiting opportunities for Bermudians.

"The modification and adoption of this piece of legislation into Bermuda will not accomplish that same feat because those doors are already wide open."

Governor Sir. John Vereker also voiced concern about the act, saying it could violate Bermuda's constitution. But Attorney General Philip Perinchief blasted the Governor saying he acted "reprehensibly" by voicing concerns over the Workforce Equity Act 2007.

He also struck out at lawyer Timothy Marshall saying he acted "deplorably" when he said Bermuda's Constitution would be violated by the proposed new law forcing companies to hire and promote blacks.

Mr. Perinchief said: "It is quite deplorable and entirely unhelpful when every time this Government attempts to right the wrongs of the past, presided over and even encouraged by successive UBP administrations more than their 30 years in power; there are those who rush forward to 'champion the cause of human rights'."

Later in the month it was revealed that the legislation could be extended to all firms, not just large ones.

PGA GRANDSLAM

A dramatic ending to Bermuda's first PGA Grand Slam brought thousands to their feet and saw Angel Cabrera lift the coveted trophy above his head on October 18. Approximately 10 percent of the Island's population, 7,000 people, turned up at the Mid Ocean Golf Course to see four of the world's best.

Angel Cabrera started with a triple bogey, leaving him five shots adrift but finished yesterday as the PGA Grand Slam of Golf champion following a dramatic sudden death play-off.

Not even 36 pulsating holes could separate Cabrera and Padraig Harrington, who was four shots clear with just 11 holes remaining.

In November, it was announced that the PGA Grand Slam of Golf had gone over so well, organisers were promising to return next year. A two-year deal was signed to bring the tournament to the Mid Ocean Club this year and in 2008, but there was a get-out clause allowing the PGA to pull out if it felt that Bermuda could not host the event properly.

Statistics

Taxi fares were to increase by 10.5 percent from December 1.

The price of gasoline dropped 1.4 cent per litre with the maximum retail price at $1.74 per litre, still significantly higher than the $1.61 gas cost this time last year.

From April through August, the number of tourists flying to Bermuda solely for pleasure dropped, at times by as much as 15 percent compared to 2006. The number of people categorised as coming to Bermuda on vacation has fallen by almost five percent this year.

Butterfield Bank reported third quarter profits of $39.6 million, a record for the group and up 14.4 percent year on year.

The number of traffic collisions jumped 12 percent this September over the same month last year.

A study carried out at last year's Bermuda College Career Fair revealed that 53 percent of students aged between 13 and 17 had "absolutely no interest in careers in tourism", according to a release from consulting firm Profiles of Bermuda.

Calls to the Womens Resource Centre charity's hotline soared by 31 percent this year.

Health professionals screened 112 people aged 17 to 84 during three days of screening at TCD. A few of the results included 66 percent of people were overweight or obese (compared with 61 percent in the Bermuda Health Survey) although only four percent identified themselves as such, 24 percent had an elevated blood sugar level, and 54 percent knew experts recommend 30 to 60 minutes exercise a day.