The One Bermuda Alliance has criticised David Burt, the Premier, for being on holiday during this week’s industrial action over labour laws by the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Cole Simons, the Opposition Leader, said: “Earlier this year the Premier extended his emergency powers to manage the pandemic during an ”imposed state of emergency“. If we are still in a state of emergency, why has the Premier been on holiday and absent and why have Cabinet meetings been suspended?

“This is totally unacceptable to the people of this country. As we all know government business continues all year around and Cabinet meetings should be held all throughout the year.”

He added: “In the absence of any Premier, Bermuda’s Cabinet meetings ought to be chaired by the Deputy Premier, or an Acting Premier. Unfortunately, this is another example of the flawed Progressive Labour Party leadership, especially during this tense period in Bermuda’s history.”

Mr Simons said the public had been innocently drawn into a political fight between two members of the labour movement.

He said: “The dispute between the PLP government and the BIU marks an historic moment in Bermuda’s history. What we are observing is the decoupling of two prominent organisations that have been so closely intertwined, that at times they have appeared to be one and the same.

“Clearly, Bermuda has more than enough to contend with, like the ongoing impact of the pandemic, an economy struggling to get on its feet, and a diminished tourist season. The threat of a 21-day strike notice from the BIU and no plan for resolution from the government, will only serve to destabilise us as a country, and divide us as a people.”

In fact, the BIU has withdrawn the 21-day strike notice.