THE United Bermuda Party has called on Government to "stop playing favourites" in the wake of this week's high-profile trucker protest, asking that the Premier and his colleagues "spread the wealth" to contractors of all sizes in fair, open tenders.

Shadow Works & Engineering Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin urged Government to provide jobs to as many Bermudians as possible during the economic downturn, instead of handing contracts to a small, select group of Dr. Ewart Brown's allies in the construction industry.

"Why should more that $100 million in current Government contracts have been handed over to an 'axis' of two or three construction bosses favoured by the Premier?" the Opposition MP asked.

"Government needs to play fair with other contractors, both large and small. Stop playing favourites. Openly tender the jobs. Spread the business."

Ms Gordon-Pamplin's comments come a day after a group of the island's independent truckers, under the auspices of the Bermuda General Truckers Association, staged a large-scale protest on the roads of Hamilton.

A convoy of trucks bearing signs blocked early morning traffic at the East Broadway roundabout, while independent truckers drove their vehicles slowly around the City to draw attention to their plight.

A group of independent truckers spoke to the Mid-Ocean News before the protest, complaining that Dr. Brown, who is also Transport and Tourism Minister, had been "riding rough-shod" over the Motor Car Act by allowing large trailer dump trucks ¿ many owned by local construction companies ¿ to do everyday jobs rather than specific demolition jobs as intended.

This week's protest came after meetings between Dr. Brown and the Truckers Association "failed in bringing any resolution", according to the group's president Richard Foggo.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin (pictured) urged the Government to think of the island's workers during what could be a worsening economic climate.

"It is essential that the Government be ready to take up some of the slack with projects that provide jobs lost during the downturn," she said.

The Opposition MP had advice for all Bermudians, not just the Government, on how to keep locals employed despite the oncoming recession. Her comments come amid fears of more retailers in the City of Hamilton being forced to close their doors thanks to a decline in tourism and cruise ship visits.

"Every Bermudian can play their part in supporting the economy," she said.

"We would like to reinvigorate the Buy Bermuda campaign because it will help keep Bermudians employed and businesses running. The campaign needs a strong message that it's about helping the country, supporting your family and friends. Many small businesses are hanging by a thread, in part because of the decline in tourism. Lay-offs are starting to happen."

Ms Gordon-Pamplin urged the Government to prepare for these imminent lay-offs by preparing social support programmes.

"Precious time has been lost to adjust plans to weather the downturn," she said.

"There will likely be hefty increases in demand for social assistance and steps must be taken to prepare for it. In particular, we urge the Government to put additional money aside now for Housing Assistance and Social Assistance, two programmes that saw significant demand increases in the last recession."