effort to help alleviate the Island's unemployment situation.

Referred to the company by Government's Employment Office, the 10 Bermudians have been assigned to maintenance-type projects in Belco's Transmission and Distribution department.

Their duties will include property cleaning and tree trimming. They are expected to be with the company for three months.

The company, which this year vowed not to create any new positions except in the case of apprentices and graduate trainees, had a change of heart.

Recognising the hardships brought about by the recession, its board of directors approved $50,000 funding for the hiring of the temporary staff.

"Belco is providing temporary jobs to 10 unemployed Bermudians to help them get through the Christmas holiday season,'' the company said in statement yesterday.