Blacks hold 62 percent of the executive management positions in public administration and defence - but only three percent of those in international companies.

The disparity was revealed in the latest workforce survey to be carried out last year by CURE (Commission for Unity and Racial Equality).

It showed that while blacks had the majority of executive positions in Government, education, health and the community service industries, a number of other business sectors had a way to go before the gap was closed on the distribution of the top jobs. In the hotel industry, only 29 percent of the top jobs belong to blacks, in comparison to 60 percent whites.

In banking and retail, only 24 percent of the executive positions belong to blacks, while 65 percent are held by whites.

In the wholesale trade, there are no blacks at executive level, with 93 percent of positions being held by whites.

And in Agriculture, fishing and quarrying, there are no blacks at an executive level - with 100 percent of the highest positions being held by whites.

The figures, released in only the second CURE survey, prove that Bermuda has a long road ahead of it in order to redress the balance between whites and blacks in the workforce.

The CURE report said: "The black executive continues to be in prominence in the Government sector. More than six in ten (62 percent) of all executives in public administration and defence are black - an accurate reflection of the workforce."

And it said that in education, community services and health, the reflection of executives positions held by black people reflected the demographics of the Island.

However, it said that not all sectors of the business community were doing so well.

"In other sectors, blacks hold less than one third of executive positions.

"In recreational and cultural services, blacks made the most gains (between 2000 and 2001), increasing seven percentage points, from 13 percent to 20 percent."

But the report said the story was the same in the distribution of senior management positions, and, to some extent, middle management positions.

While blacks hold the majority of the senior and middle management positions in Government, education and health, they only hold nine percent of senior roles in international companies, 11 percent in recreational and cultural services, and 16 percent in both construction and business services.

In restaurants, bars and cafes, only 18 percent of senior positions are taken by blacks.

However, between 2000 and 2001, blacks made the most gains in the retail and wholesale sectors, while losing ground in agriculture, fishing and quarrying and in restaurants and bars.

But when it comes to middle management jobs, there is a slight difference in some industries.

Some 58 percent of middle management posts in personal and household services industries are held by blacks, compared to 32 percent whites, and 58 percent of middle manager posts in transport, storage and communications are held by blacks, in comparison to 29 percent whites.

But again the big discrepancy lies in international companies, which is weighted in favour of whites by 71 percent to 17 percent.