Government has released a slew of statistics in support of the proposed Workforce Equity Act showing blacks still get a raw deal in the job market with educated blacks earning less than their white counterparts.

The bill, tabled before the election, will require companies to employ black Bermudians at all levels according to their representation in the wider workforce.

On Tuesday, the Department of Communication and Information put out a press release, which did not quote a Minister, on statistics culled from the Census of seven years ago showing that black Bermudians have more BA degrees than white Bermudians.

The press release also argued that the Act was not unconstitutional.

The release stated: "It has long been an erroneous perception that blacks in Bermuda did not possess the same educational qualifications as whites.

"That perception was used to explain the apparent lack of progress of blacks into senior and executive managerial positions in the workplace."

It showed 944 BA degrees were held by black Bermudian females, 718 by black Bermudian males, 586 by white Bermudian males and 447 by white Bermudian females in 2000.

Statistics show that black Bermudian females recorded the largest number of degree attainment at the Masters level with 479. Black Bermudian males held 201 while white Bermudian males had 105 and females had 108.

But the Census also showed that blacks with a college degrees earned median monthly incomes of $4,799 while whites in that category earned $6,329.

Uneducated blacks earned $3,346 and uneducated whites $4,012.

Statistics from CURE's 2006 report on the State of the Races and the 2006 Workforce Survey show black Bermudians are over-represented in lower income jobs and under-represented in higher income jobs in Bermuda compared to other groups.

The bill will fine companies who don't make plans to move black Bermudians up the career ladder if they are under represented at the higher levels.

It will also give Government powers to investigate how employers go about hiring and firing and promoting and paying their workers.

Some critics of the bill have said it is unconstitutional.

The press release added: "Section 12 of the Constitution is the relevant section on discrimination and Section 12 (4) (d) of the constitution provides authority for favouring black Bermudians over other Bermudians."

It added that there would have to be statistical evidence to show black Bermudians were disadvantaged "and evidence that the advantage to be accorded was reasonably justifiable in a democratic society".

The release said the figures illustrated the need for the Act very clearly.

Government will carry out a Labour Force Survey to provide employers with the statistical data they will need to review their workforces for discriminatory practices and opportunities to promote equity.

One business source said: "This smells like politicking. There is selective and incomplete use of data to speak to a predetermined end."