All Jamaicans travelling to Britain will need to obtain visas or be refused entry into the country, the British government announced on Wednesday.

However the change, which took effect at midnight last night was labelled discriminatory by the leader of the Jamaican Association in Bermuda. "We are against it," stated leader Ralston Rright.

The British government said the change would eliminate delays for Jamaicans at airport immigration desks and make it easier for "genuine" visitors to come to Britain, according to an AP news report.

"For some years the number of Jamaican passengers being refused entry on arrival in the UK has been increasing - causing frustration and delays to genuine passengers of more than two hours," said British Home Secretary David Blunkett in the AP report.

British Customs officials said drug smuggling is rife on flights from Jamaica, and that last year as many as 30 people on each flight could be drug mules.

"This is a real problem and the consequences of this abuse of the immigration system are felt mainly by the genuine visitors from Jamaica," said Mr. Blunkett.

President of the West Indian Association in Bermuda Trevor Fyfe said that the law seemed fair. "It's a provision to protect them from those of us who go beyond the law," he said. "However law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear. They will have to do a little more work to be able to enter Britain, but they will get their visa.

"It's something we all knew was coming," he continued. "It's the result of a protective measure on the behalf of the UK And one can understand that."

However the law may cause more problems than it will solve, said Mr. Rright - especially if the UK visa system is to be similar to the one in the United States, where Jamaican nationals may only acquire a visa if they can show that they have a substantial amount of collateral, such as money in the bank or a land title.

"What I fear is that the UK government might head along this pathway," said Mr. Rright. "This would be a disadvantage to the average Jamaican."

"It seems based on recent happenings, that's why things are coming on the front burner. But the fact is that it's not Jamaica alone. It just seems as if they're singling out Jamaica.

"We are very hard-working, honest people, and you can't just judge us by a small minority," he added. "It's not fair. It's a bit discriminating."

But Mr. Fyfe was more philosophical, saying: "It's a case where the good will have to suffer for the bad. But you can't fault a country for wanting to protect themselves. If you want to be fair about things, sometimes people may have no other choice."