forced to leave the Island to make jobs for unemployed Bermudians, a Government politician has claimed.

United Bermuda Party MP Mr. Anthony Correia said the adoption of such a system could mean the end of heartache for such persons, who often believe they can remain on the Island indefinitely.

He said that if a person is admitted to work here under a contract for a specified time, there would be no illusions although the employer could apply to the Immigration Board to have the contract renewed.

Mr. Correia was one of three MPs of Portuguese descent who came out in defence of Portuguese nationals yesterday.

"It's very disheartening to have been on the Island, in one case for 27 years, and to be told your work permit is not being renewed,'' said Mr.

Correia, a past chairman of the Board of Immigration. "Many have applied for status on two or three occasions and been refused. They now have to leave the Island and return to a completely different way of life.

"It's creating a lot of discontent among Portuguese nationals and I don't know how it's going to affect our relations with Portugal in the future.'' Mr. Correia said a policy had been changed only recently to allow nationals to bring wives and children with them to Bermuda after many complained to their Government because they were not allowed to do so.

And he said nationals approached him "all the time'' after they are led to greater expectations that they "can stay here and seek status''.

"They don't like to make waves,'' he said. "They aren't very vocal but I can tell they're hurting very badly. Although we all appreciate that Bermudians must come first -- that we must take care of our own, many feel they've been taken for granted for so many years.

"I hope that whatever is done and considered (by Home Affairs Minister the Hon. John Irving Pearman) that the changes or policies are beneficial to all.'' In an open letter which appeared in The Royal Gazette on Tuesday, Portuguese nationals asked Bermudians to honour their moral commitment to persons who helped build the Island.

And voices of concern were expressed by the Acorean community in June as high numbers of Portuguese workers were being affected by the declining job market.

At the time, Portuguese Counsel Dr. Francisco Santos Correia who was off the Island yesterday, said there were two groups of people whose contracts were not being renewed.

One included those who had finished their contracts and wanted to return home as conditions on the Island were no longer as favourable.

The second consisted of people who had been on the Island for more than 15 years and wished to remain. "Some were born here and are trying so that they can obtain Bermuda status,'' he said. "...Many don't know the law and are caught in this circumstance and only now are trying to do something.'' UBP MP Mr. Ernest DeCouto said that the situation was particularly terrible for children.

He said that for these children -- who in the best circumstances would be granted Bermuda status -- Bermuda could do more by doing things like allowing them to obtain summer jobs.

"If we allow them to stay here for a long while we have a moral obligation,'' he said.

"I believe that Government is sensitive but I would've thought by now that the Minister would've developed some sort sort of policy. I appreciate the circumstances surrounding the recession but they have provided such a very essential service I would've thought we would try and do something to accomodate them.'' UBP MP the Hon. Harry Soares described the plight of the nationals as "a human tragedy''.

He said he has aided at least 10 people in their fight to stay.

"I've had talks with some people about it and a lot of them are concerned and feel insecure,'' he said. "It's an extremely delicate situation. Many of them have made a significant contribution to Bermuda over a long period of time.

It's very difficult for them and their families.''