A Government Senator has warned of possible "social unrest'' that could result from people left behind in the wake of e-commerce growth.

Sen. Calvin Smith said if nothing is done to bridge the employment gap between certain sectors of society, then the country could be storing up problems for the future.

He said he believed the Island can meet the challenge, but has called for immediate action to "make it happen''.

"The sad thing is if we get into electronic commerce, that's going to dislocate a lot of people in certain jobs,'' Sen. Smith said.

Sen. Smith warned in the Senate last week that black males were being left behind as the economy changed.

He said black women were generally better trained to adapt to computers and e-commerce but black males who had left school earlier and worked in the trades or in service jobs in the hotels were ill-equipped for the change.

He added: "I make these aggressive statements because I know the Island can meet the challenge. But I don't know if we know how serious it is.

"Young people are not going to take it lying down like their parents did,'' he said, explaining the social unrest that may result from the gap between people employed in e-commerce and those "left behind'' might damage our international business interests.

"The next step is to be the what and how of countering this problem,'' Sen.

Smith said.

"We will need to see what level of real skills is required in the future, what can be improved in the school system and what we have to tell parents.

"It is not just a Government thing, most of this is going to have to be done through the private sector.'' He added: "If you don't look at the history, you're doomed to repeat the mistakes. You have to educate your young people. And what we seem to forget is that we are in a period of rapid change.'' Drawing parallels with the development of international business, Sen. Smith said only a resurgence in tourism industry could avoid the social problems that will come when only small numbers of Bermudians are employed in the e-commerce industry.

"We didn't do this when the reinsurance and other parts of the international business sector of the economy started up,'' Sen. Smith noted. "We just did not see adequately to the retraining of Bermudians.'' Bermuda must also ensure the international business sector is protected from unwarranted intrusion from outside, Sen. Smith warned.

There would be a downward spiral if the Island does not revive the tourism industry, protect international business, and see to it that Bermudians are working, he said.