Government is keen to set up an exchange where companies can hire unemployed workers through the winter period, according to Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) leader Derrick Burgess.

Large numbers of hotel staff are losing their jobs as properties close for refurbishments following Hurricane Fabian.

Mr. Burgess said Labour and Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton is supportive of the union's plan to have a central office where jobless people can register and employers can contact them when they are looking for staff.

Mr. Burgess told The Royal Gazette that although the lay-offs could be tough, there is so much restoration to be done across the Island that there should be work for most people.

“Quite a few properties have suffered serious damage so quite a lot of people will be out of work for some time,” said Burgess.

“We've been talking with the Minister (Mr. Horton) about setting up an employment desk or office where, if people want work or if people want to hire people, they can contact that office.

“I am hoping to finalise that shortly with the Minister and getting things going. I spoke to him this morning and he is quite receptive to it and wants to get it set up.

“It could be a pretty tough winter, but with all this work available, it might not be so bad, but I would think people can find something to earn a living, though it may not be the job they want.”

And he praised management at Sonesta Beach for giving three weeks pay to staff and maintaining their health benefits until the hotel re-opens next May.

Sonesta is hoping to keep on teams of about 80-100 out of its 340 staff to work on restoration of the hotel on a rotating basis.

“It is difficult for the hoteliers. They don't want to lose staff and what Sonesta has done is admirable,” said Mr. Burgess.

It is not known what will happen to staff at the Fairmont Southampton, which will close for between two and six months.

Coco Reef, the former Stonington Beach Hotel, is also closing for refurbishments over the winter.

Government approved the setting up of an unemployment insurance fund last year, but Mr. Burgess said the mechanics had not been worked out and it would not be in place to help over the winter.

The fund is designed to provide long-term help to workers out of a job and was to be set up with an initial injection of $1 million.