workers actually generate jobs for Bermudians and provide talents which Bermudians cannot supply but which keep the economy booming. There are people who feel that Government is pro-foreigner and that work permits deprive Bermudians of jobs.

A fair number of the public refuse to accept the fact that without permit holders contributing to the economy, all Bermudians would be poorer. This is a highly sophisticated but very lucrative economy which provides jobs for Bermudians and an enviable standard of living.

Finance Minister Grant Gibbons was quoted in this newspaper yesterday saying, "...we have created more than 1,800 jobs since 1993, and the ability to be able to spend money on social programmes...'' That is vitally important, of course, because a country with a weak economy cannot afford to provide social programmes for the people.

He also said: "We have certainly created international business jobs and a tremendous increase in the upward mobility of Bermudians in these types of businesses as well.'' That is also vitally important because as a Country we have educated many Bermudians to a high standard and that requires high standard jobs.

Premier Pamela Gordon has said: "We support Bermudians being given jobs but we support that in the context that they are the best qualified. We don't say `even if you're not qualified you will get the job'.'' The Opposition often gives the impression that it thinks that any Bermudian who can get as far as the door should be given the job. That sends shivers through local businesses and international companies all of which have to maintain their efficiency.

Premier Gordon was quoted last Tuesday as saying that it was her party's policy to keep business buoyant and to use the Island's prosperity to fund social programmes. She admitted that there is criticism of the number of non-Bermudians working in Bermuda and said: "If we can create an environment which stimulates the economy and brings jobs to this Country which would otherwise not be here, it's something of a trade-off in terms of the varying number of expatriates who are required.'' The problem of work permits is vexed but the fact seems to be that without work permit holders all Bermudians would have a lower standard of living. It is almost impossible to deprive people of a standard to which they have been accustomed simply to respond to complaints about the number of permit holders.

Doubtless there have been instances where some permit holders have taken jobs from Bermudians but given the strictures of the Ministry of Immigration and the high costs involved in bringing outside employees to Bermuda, we doubt if there are very many. Some people fail to understand that it is easier, cheaper and much more convenient to employ a qualified Bermudian than to look overseas.

We do not believe that there are very many people in this Country who want to see Bermudians badly done by but there are Bermudians who think that simply because they are Bermnudian they are entitled to anything and everything. The economy does not work that way in any country.