A proposed public register of expatriate workers sparked fierce controversy yesterday.

Government backbencher Arthur Hodgson put forward his register idea in the House of Assembly on Friday.

He said the register should list occupations of expatriates and their qualifications to enable Bermudians to be aware of jobs for which they might be qualified.

But yesterday United Bermuda Party MP Trevor Moniz, a champion of the rights of long-term residents, said a register would make matters worse and leave expat workers open to even more unwarranted abuse from Bermudians.

Mr. Hodgson told MPs that much of the frustration vented about Bermudians not getting jobs was anecdotal and the increasing dissatisfaction with Immigration policy was being thrust upon the expat workers.

Mr. Hodgson said creating a list similar to the voters' list or land taxes register would allow Bermudians to police Immigration to a level that a handful of Immigration officers simply cannot achieve.

"(Expat) qualifications and length of service would be itemised so every Bermudian will have the opportunity to see the register and see if they have the qualifications to fill the post," Mr. Hodgson said.

"Bermudians could assist Immigration and employers by letting individuals know they are available."

Mr. Hodgson made his comments following the Motion to Adjourn in Parliament on Friday and he re-iterated some of his concerns over sustainable development and expat worker numbers which he had previously highlighted while he was Minister of Environment in 2000.

Mr. Hodgson said the hostility that was directed towards expats at the moment had a negative effect on the overall society and, as a result, on tourism. Most foreign employees came to Bermuda only because they were looking for a job opportunity, he said. "They are not looking to exploit Bermudians or do Bermudians out of a job or negatively affect Bermuda in anyway," he said.

"But they are the ones that bear the brunt of the frustrations of Bermudians who really should be looking at the overall policy."

As a result of the hostility, "we have an unwelcome mat put out and it contributes to the deterioration in the cultural ethos of the Island," he added. The effects were carried over to tourism, Mr. Hodgson said and visitors left Bermuda with the feeling they were unwelcome in the Country.

"We find ourselves in the position of spending millions of dollars on hopeless policies to try and attract more people to Bermuda."

Mr. Moniz said yesterday: "Mr. Hodgson talks about putting out an unwelcome mat, but if there was this register, wouldn't that make people feel their privacy was invaded?

"You could get all sorts of people making unwarranted criticisms and comments and targeting people. What he is suggesting is going to cause even more unfair resentment.

"There is a minister responsible and there is Immigration Department and its officers, and Arthur is saying he doesn't trust the minister or the department or the officers to properly oversee the policy. But that's their job."