Regardless of the outcome of the Progressive Labour Party leadership crisis, businesses will press for the removal of term limits on work permits to safeguard the Island's economy.

Chamber of Commerce chairman Charles Gosling on Friday joined the rest of the business community in congratulating the Progressive Labour Party in getting back into power, but said the current impasse on six-year limits with a three-year extension was unworkable.

Mr. Gosling said: "Removing that nine-year limit is essential.

"We can understand the argument that Bermuda does not want to end up with another surfeit of long term residents who will end up effectively being stateless, but at the same time international business does require key personnel in key positions to be here for longer than a nine-year period."

Mr. Gosling said on Friday that he was looking forward to working with David Burch, who was appointed Minister of Labour and Home Affairs in the Premier's crisis Cabinet.

It was not clear yesterday whether Lt. Col. Burch would be retaining his post as negotiations between the two sides in the PLP continued.

But on Friday, Lt. Col. Burch said he was not aware of the details of Government's work permit term limits and said it would be "number one on my list" of things to find out about when he takes over the portfolio.

International companies have warned that they had prepared contingency plans for leaving the Island if the controversial term limits were not removed.

Many have said they are considering moving to Dublin if the situation is not rectified. The body in charge of attracting business to Dublin has confirmed it has been in talks with Bermuda companies.

Mr. Gosling said: "We are looking forward to working with Col. Burch on the whole position of getting a better handle on the subject of limits on work permits and how we can go forward and make sure there is a good steady ground for international business to continue to do business in Bermuda."

He said Bermuda had social issues that had to be dealt with and he applauded Government for the way it was tackling some of these head-on, but he said with business a different approach was needed.

"In terms of business we need to create a proper working environment for business and removing that nine-year limit is essential."

He said he was sure that the retail and restaurants divisions of the Chamber were also keen to address the thorny issue of overtime payments with the new minister during his tenure.

Many in the business community were still waiting to see if Lt. Col. Burch was going to continue as Minister during the internal struggles of the PLP, but added that Lt. Col. Burch may well be capable of sorting out the problems which have dogged the Labour and Home Affairs Ministry.

They pointed to his work as acting Minister of Tourism when David Allen was ill and his achievements at the Housing Corporation as evidence of his abilities.

"We are somewhat surprised at the sudden announcement made by the Premier today (Friday) regarding the changes to the make-up of the Cabinet but nonetheless, having had a chance to see Lt. Col. Burch in action in the Housing Ministry we look forward to working with him and wish him well with this new challenge," said Bermuda Employers Council executive director Andrea Mowbray.

The business community has been concerned about the term limits on work permits and the "tone" of comments made by the former Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister, who said he personally wanted to limit all work permits to nine years.

Bermuda International Business Association chief executive officer Deborah Middleton said she wanted to congratulate the PLP on their victory.

"The PLP has always appreciated that international business is a vital and growing part of Bermuda's economy," she said. "Over the past five years, BIBA and the PLP have worked together successfully in drafting legislative changes regarding collective investment schemes, trusts, segregated accounts and other initiatives designed to preserve and grow Bermuda's international business economy.

"We look forward to continuing an ongoing dialogue with the PLP government to ensure that Bermuda's standing as a high quality, well regulated business jurisdiction continues to be recognised throughout the world."