A backbench government MP says he has faced difficulty in finding employment in common with UBP shadow minister Jamahl Simmons.

Ashfield DeVent, former Minister for Works, Engineering and Housing, spoke out in response to Mr. Simmons? remarks in Monday?s.

Mr. Simmons said he believed political discrimination was the reason he has seen at least six jobs snatched away ? with some employers explaining they are afraid of angering the ruling Progressive Labour Party.

However, Mr. DeVent said he believed that the fact both he and Mr. Simmons are black is the more likely reason for their shared employment woes, and blamed race discrimination rather than political bias.

Former engineer Mr. DeVent, 49, said his own problems date back around 20 years, to the point where he left his position as network management supervisor with Cable and Wireless to seek new professional challenges.

At this point ? having not yet declared his political leanings ? he found himself unable to land a new job suited to his qualifications.

This meant he ended up driving cabs, working in construction and filing reports as a journalist in order to make ends meet.

?I was close to being at the top of my profession and wanted to move on. I tried to go back into that field and approached maybe close to a dozen engineering companies over around two years, but I was unsuccessful,? he said.

After a spell concentrating on his post as Works and Engineering Minister, his inability to find suitable employment continued since he lost that Cabinet role last October.

He believes his difficulties have been compounded since then because of political bias against him since his high-profile Government role.

Mr. DeVent, who represents Pembroke South East and has a 14-year-old son, said he is fortunate to be able to survive without working. However, he is concerned at what he believes is a widespread problem.

?I think more than anything this is a race issue. Statistics show a disproportionate number of black men who are unemployed or underemployed for the qualifications that they have,? he said.

?I have some serious doubts about Mr. Simmons? belief that it?s because he?s a member of the United Bermuda Party. Historically, if there?s been any political discrimination, it?s been against those who represented the PLP. I think it?s hogwash.?

Mr. DeVent added that Mr. Simmons should use his role as Shadow Minister for Race Relations and Economic Empowerment to address employment-related discrimination against black men.

Responding to this, Mr. Simmons said he would not rule out the fact that he is black as a possible reason for employment problems.

?If I were a white member of the UBP would I have better chances? Maybe so. It?s something we should be concerned about. It?s happening in Bermuda,? he said.

He added that he does not blame the PLP directly for his employment issues, but holds firm to the belief that ?real or imagined? concerns about incurring the wrath of the Government have motivated some potential employers to turn him down.