December 10, 2001

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to respond to the letter titled 'Beware Expat Trickery' which was in your paper on December 10, signed by Observer, Southampton.

Observer,

Letters like yours make me so angry, but then I can't help but smile at how truly naive you must be. As a Bermudian, your country is my country and had our country not been "consumed by the international industry", we would have nothing. Yes, tourism has declined terribly, but the fault does not lie with any one party. The point is that if we didn't have international business, then we truly would become a "poverty stricken country". You should count your blessings that we have another strong industry to fall back on. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that we ignore tourism's decline - we should still endeavour to get back on track, however, unlike many other tourist destinations who are also suffering, we still have another industry providing many jobs, directly and indirectly, to Bermudians.

I strongly disagree that Bermudians are being "squeezed from their jobs." In actual fact, these international companies provide many jobs for Bermudians at all levels and invest in their future. As well, young Bermudians have incentive to focus on their education and career paths in order to secure great jobs with these companies. Perhaps, you should check your facts. I am in a job which allows me to see first hand how Immigration works and how these companies hire and it is far from the description you have given.

Sometimes, I wish these international companies would all pull out for a eriod of time just to prove to people like you how much we really do need

them.

I shall probably anger you even more to report that my partner is

non-Bermudian. And no, he doesn't work for one of these international ompanies. Instead he works very hard for a local company that does not even pay him what he is worth. This company has hardly any Bermudian employees because they will not put up with the low pay and the disrespect they receive. But the expats stick it out and for what? To read letters such as yours which help to divide our country even further.

Personally, I have a bit more faith in our fellow Bermudians than you do. We will come through this hard economic time together. There are six more international companies due to set up here and they will certainly bring more jobs for Bermudians and more money into our country. I would like to think that you are only one of a handful who can no longer offer a warm smile and a handshake and to be quite honest, it is your letter that is an insult to our country and should not be tolerated.

STOP COMPLAINING

Warwick