The United Bermuda Party and international business leaders have come out against suggestions from Government backbencher Arthur Hodgson that a public register of expatriate workers be produced for Bermudians to consult.

Mr. Hodgson said in the House of Assembly on Friday the register would allow Bermudians to check the qualifications of foreign workers to see if they could do the job.

He claimed this would eliminate some of the frustration Bermudians vent towards expat workers, much of which is based on anecdotal information.

Last night, the UBP said such a list could lead to individual foreign workers being “persecuted”.

And David Ezekiel, the chairman of the international companies division of the Chamber of Commerce, said adding individual names would not contribute anything and that information by job category should be sufficient.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said yesterday that while her party caucus had not met to discuss the issue, they would be against it.

She admitted that she had made the same suggestion as Mr. Hodgson at a public meeting five years ago in a personal capacity before she was involved in politics, but today the UBP would not support the idea.

“We haven't caucused on this, but the feeling is that a public register of expatriate workers is not the way to go,” she said yesterday.

“It would become too personalised, and it is the policy that should be determined by Government in terms of how many non-Bermudians work here, length of tender and so on.

“Bermudians should have the first opportunity for jobs they are qualified to do, but a register is likely to single out individuals almost for persecution, and that is not the way to go and we would not support that recommendation.

“We do consider it essential that Bermudians are aware of job opportunities and qualified Bermudians are given first opportunity.

“About five years ago at a public meeting on long-term residents I did suggest this idea (of a register) but that was when I was speaking in a personal capacity and was not involved in politics.”

Mr. Ezekiel said: “I'd much rather respond to something that looks like it would become a reality. I can't imagine that names would add to anything that could be provided by categories.

“Even if one thinks it would be a worthwhile exercise, providing categories of jobs and profiles rather than names (would be more helpful). This seems to add nothing to anything.”

In the House of Assembly of Friday, Mr. Hodgson said: “(Expat) qualifications and length of service would be itemised so every Bermudian would have the opportunity to see the register and see if they have the qualifications to fill the post.

“They (expats) are not looking to exploit Bermudians or do Bermudians out of a job or negatively affect Bermuda in any way. But they are the ones that bear the brunt of the frustrations who really should be looking at the overall policy.”