Government's Hustle Truck has been suspended due to "behavioural challenges" with some of its workers.

The scheme, which involves bussing unemployed people around the Island to carry out manual labour, needs to be completely reviewed to deal with the problem, Housing Minister David Burch said in a statement released late last night.

Sen. Burch said changes were needed to better manage the personnel, "who have a variety of issues not normally seen in the workplace".

"We have encountered some challenges with some of the workers," he continued, "and in order to guarantee the continued success of this initiative, I have ordered a complete review of the policies and procedures to ensure a smoother running of the programme."

He said criteria were being put in place such as asking all workers to confirm pertinent information including their work history, skill set and desired occupations. Information will be passed to relevant agencies to help workers become more productive members of society.

"A renewed and improved programme will return as soon as the new procedures are in place," he said. "This Government is fully committed to providing employment to those who, for a variety of reasons, had opted out of society, but it will be conducted in a professional and proper manner."

The Hustle Truck was launched in April under the guidance of Bermuda Housing Corporation. Hustle stands for Help the Unemployed Sustain Themselves through Limited Employment.

On a weekly basis, able bodied men and women arrived at 8 a.m. and worked a seven-hour work day. The programme began with the contracting of eight young men and women of Middletown to paint over graffiti and walls of BHC properties.

"As the programme progressed, it grew to outstanding success with numbers of workers increasing week by week. The workers have been men and women, both young and old, from a cross section of the community," said Sen. Burch.

"With the evolution of the programme, interesting facts were revealed. The numbers of unemployed Bermudians seeking work or payment for work in Bermuda is extraordinary."

Speaking in the Senate in June, Sen. Burch said seven participants had already gone on to find permanent jobs.