Government has come under fire for its failure to put more Bermudians into the Island's work force. News that a top position at a resort hotel might not be filled by a qualified Bermudian was greeted with claims from the BIU that Government had failed to fulfill its promise.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said: "If our Government is indeed sincere about its policy of Bermudianisation, we will surely know when the veil is lifted and the new managing director of the Sonesta Beach steps forward.

"However, so far we have only had hearsay which indicates that the new managing director will not be the current general manager Dennis Tucker.'' And National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers asked: "What does a Bermudian have to do to be promoted to the top position in the Sonesta Beach hotel?'' He added: "Certainly Dennis Tucker has paid his dues and all Bermudians should demand to know why it appears that he is being overlooked for the position at the hotel.

"If Sonesta decides, as anticipated, to appoint a non-Bermudian to fill the top vacancy, then a work permit must be issued.'' And Mr. Jeffers said Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness must ensure that "the law and the spirit of the law'' were followed.

The position of managing director at the South Shore, Southampton property had been held by David Boyd since 1989 but he resigned in June at the age of 52 because of illness.

Since then the position's duties have been fulfilled by Mr. Tucker who joined Sonesta Beach in 1976 and became general manager in 1988.

Mr. Tucker, who is also the vice-president of the property, had taken charge of the resort during previous periods of absence as well.

But it is understood that the hotel is now looking for a non-Bermudian to head up the post which is currently being advertised.

When contacted Sonesta Beach Hotel general manager Dennis Tucker said: "This situation is becoming more and more delicate.'' And he added: "I am not in a position to comment at this time.'' A spokesman for Sonesta International said the group was still in the process of finding a replacement for the position.

He was unable to say whether Mr. Tucker was being looked at or not.

Questions about who will get top Sonesta position Mr. Jeffers said: "We are not asking that Mr. Tucker, or any other Bermudian for that matter, should be appointed for any other reason than for the reason that he or she is qualified in the relevant areas with the right attitude.

"Surely Government must realise that the outcome not only effects Mr. Tucker at Sonesta but sends a message to aspiring Bermudians in hotel industry management.

"It appears that Bermudians are good enough for the position just below the top but they should not set their sights on the most senior positions.'' Mr. Burgess said young Bermudians who had diligently pursued a university degree were in danger of becoming frustrated and resentful because they were not being allowed into the Bermudian work force.

He added: "How can we expect our young people to get experience unless we give them the opportunity.

"And how will they get the opportunity if someone as experienced as Dennis Tucker can't even get the job?'' Mr. Tucker, he continued, had 20 years of hotel experience and had held other posts including Bermuda Hotel Association president, director of the Bank of Bermuda, Bermuda Employers Council president and Government Senator.

"Obviously he is ambitious, hard-working and diligent,'' said Mr. Burgess, "otherwise he would not have held such prestigious positions.'' He said he felt a Government should mandate "a commitment from employers to ensure that our natural resource, the Bermudian Worker, is not loss'' if it was sincere about the policy of Bermudianisation.

Mr. Jeffers added: "We challenge the Government to work with the foreign owned hotels in setting guidelines and instituting programmes that will ensure that Bermudians will compete on a fair and level playing field for all jobs in the hotel industry.'' Shadow Labour Minister Alex Scott recently voiced similar concerns and said the PLP stood behind Mr. Tucker who was "eminently qualified'' for the top post.

He said the PLP would be watching to see who was appointed to head the organisation given a trend at other large properties, such as Marriott Castle Harbour and the Elbow Beach, to hire young foreign managers who needed to "learn on the job.'' Bermuda was not getting experienced managers, he warned.

"We are getting people who are getting experience on the job while they are here.'' He said this concerned him because it suggested that these persons used Bermuda to climb the corporate ladder instead of investing in Bermuda.