check on the racial make-up of company work forces was passed yesterday in the Senate.

The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality Amendment Act 1999 went through its third reading with no objections, paving the way for the organisation to keep tabs on employment practices and ensure there is no racial discrimination in the workplace.

Government Sen. Michael Scott introduced the amendment, saying Government had received written responses from 119 of 557 local companies about their hiring and firing practices.

He said there had been consultation with the Chamber of Commerce, Bermuda Employers Council, Bermuda Industrial Union, Bermuda Hotel Association, and the Bermuda International Business Association.

The survey had found the majority had no written policies concerning equal employment opportunity, training or racial harassment.

"Government is determined that this is not just window dressing,'' Sen. Scott said, "but something to advocate the promotion of a level playing field.

"This is a comprehensive approach. Change will be the product of a mutual agreement between the employer and CURE.'' Opposition Sen. Kim Swan said his party approved of the bill, but called for greater integration in social circles which would lead to greater integration in the work place.

"It is a very important mechanism when someone buys into something,'' he said. "That's where we have got to move forward. We must get rid of the glass ceiling.'' Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes said he approved of the legislation, adding that often perception became a reality if it was not countered.

Sen. Hughes said there was no argument there was a lack of equal opportunity in the workplace and added the keeping of records would go a long way toward avoiding the generalities people commonly use when discussing race.

Government Sen. Calvin Smith remarked that he had often wondered when local companies had complained of not finding qualified local blacks, why they did not hire "qualified blacks from around the world''.

He talked of traveling to the Caribbean to find blacks "in all their colours'' running banks, but said he believed there to only be one black bank manager in Bermuda currently.

"There are a few close,'' he said. "There has been just a lack of social integration. The ultimate test of this is whether it is successful is in the demographics.'' Sen. Smith emphasised that "reality is very much dependent on perception'' and as a result "it changes from time to time''.

But he restated that the inequalities still existing in business were "immeasurable''.

"And the evidence suggests that racism is very much in existence there,'' he added.

Sen. Smith said, unlike the previous United Bermuda Party Government, the current Government "has no obligations with the existing establishments'' and therefore has no ulterior motives.

And while he voiced his support for the bill, he said it was "perhaps to general'' in what it did.

"Of course,'' he added, "I think that the very fact that we're here debating this issue is nothing less than shameful.'' Independent Sen. Jeanette Cannonier also gave her unwavering support to the amendment, saying: "We have reached a point where this has to become law.

"Yes, racism is out there and it does most definitely exist and I know this from personal experience.

Boost for CURE "But, having said that, I hope Bermuda never sees the day when people are hired solely on the basis of the colour of their skin, instead of their ability to do the job.'' Opposition Sen. Maxwell Burgess agreed that, while "Bermuda has had a racist past'', he did not want the day to come when "I'm hired just because I'm black''.

"It doesn't help my self-esteem or my self-worth,'' he said.

He pledged his support for the bill, but also said: "While some companies are not doing it right, there are a majority of others which are.

"Business wouldn't be where it is today if they (businesses) were more interested in the colour of their employees' skins, than their ability to do their job.

"I would like to see to it that, after this legislation is passed, the companies who aren't on board are made to come on board because the legislation cannot deal with the problem all on its own.

"I would also like to make it clear that if black Bermudians want to be on the cutting edge at work, then they need to be on the cutting edge in terms of qualifications.

"Companies should be interested in the best talent for the job and we have to implore our children to be the best because that's how they are going to get to the top.''