New laws allowing every worker in Bermuda to join a union are still awaiting the Governor's approval -- six months after they were passed by politicians.

The Trade Union Amendment Act has been criticised by the Island's labour leaders for excluding middle managers from automatic representation rights.

The Fraternal Unions of Bermuda wrote to the International Labour Organisation, complaining the laws were in breach of their conventions.

Governor Thorold Masefield is still waiting to hear back from ILO officials based in Switzerland, before rubber-stamping the law introduced last March.

But he is understood to have scotched claims that the laws contravene Bermuda's own constitution.

Deputy Governor Peter Willis confirmed last night that Government House was still waiting for news from ILO leaders.

They contacted British Government officials, to ask for the UK perspective on Bermuda's proposed new laws.

In turn, the ILO will report back directly to Bermuda.

Mr. Willis said: "The Act still hasn't been signed into law and we are still looking at some aspects of it, in particular the claim that it contravenes ILO conventions. There are several conventions which need to be looked at and the procedure has also been delayed because the ILO also asked the British Government for their views.

"Those views will be referred back to a special committee of the ILO which will, in due course, consider them.'' The Act allows ballots in the workplace on union membership or on leaving a union, but it does not have provision for bargaining rights for middle management.

Frustrated Bermuda Industrial Union leader Derrick Burgess used his Labour Day speech to criticise the proposals.

He said the law would deny access to a union for 15 percent of Bermudians, saying that was against the constitution.

Mr. Burgess added: "When the Governor tells me that Act isn't against the constitution, he is wrong.

"It is like telling someone they can join the Mid Ocean Golf Club but they can't play golf.

"Article 23 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948, allowing everybody the right to join a union to protect their interests.

"This year, in 1998, legislation was passed so that 15 percent of the workforce could not join a union.'' GOVERNOR GOV