Comments and suggestions by a Government backbencher about work permit abuse prompted a hostile reaction from Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell.

Speaking on the motion to adjourn on Friday night in the House of Assembly, Derrick Burgess demanded tighter controls on the granting of work permits.

He called for identification cards for guest workers, and non-renewable permits for certain work categories.

Mr. Burgess also claimed that Bermudians were unfairly targeted by background checks -- while people from overseas were not checked.

But Mr. Dodwell called Mr. Burgess' comments "scare tactics'' and said he was "astounded and flabbergasted''.

Last night, Mr. Burgess explained he knew of an instance where a couple, on work permits as a waiter and waitress, hired a nanny to take care of their children.

He said they all lived in a single bedroom apartment, adding: "If that's not deceitful, I don't know what is.

"We see how people come here as nannies and before you know it they are working elsewhere,'' Mr. Burgess said. He added: "We have had people here having three work permits and there are Bermudians with no job at all.'' Mr. Burgess said it was "fairly common'' for people to work at night in cleaning jobs while on vacation visas.

"Having ID will make it easier for authorities to know what they have a permit for,'' he said. "It's the same as a driver's licence.'' Mr. Burgess also related a story of a woman rejected from the Police Service because her brother was allegedly involved in drugs.

"Bermudians are targeted by background checks but not the people who are coming in from overseas,'' he continued.

Non-renewable work permits would alleviate the problem of long-term residents.

But Mr. Dodwell said he was shocked that a member of the Immigration Board would seemingly criticise the current Minister's policy.

He said: "I was surprised. His comments were of great concern. Can you imagine what the business community thinks about them?''