The controversial Workforce Equity bill has "disappeared into an abyss", according to the former Minister who brought it into the public fold three years ago.

Wayne Perinchief was Culture Minister when the law — introducing heavy fines for companies which block the progress of blacks — was drafted in 2007.

Now a backbencher, Mr. Perinchief yesterday lamented his own party's failure to persevere with the act as the House of Assembly debated new legislation transferring race group CURE's functions to the Human Rights Commission.

"The Workforce Equity bill sought to act on information and data collected by CURE," said the Progressive Labour Party MP.

Mr. Perinchief had brought the bill into the public domain shortly before the 2007 General Election, but was sacked immediately after the election.

"The Workforce Equity bill fell off the table. It disappeared into an abyss. I don't why," he continued.

"In the face of the Big Conversation, I would have thought the Workforce Equity bill would have been part of that conversation. Maybe we need to raise it again."

He said some people didn't like the fact the act used the word "black".

However, he backed the bill presented by current Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield yesterday, the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (Transfer of Functions) Act.

Mr. Perinchief said when he was Culture Minister he found CURE toothless because although it carried out research it could not issue penalties against people or companies who racially discriminate.

Introducing the bill, Ms Butterfield said: "For some time now, we have noted with concern that there has been and continues to be a lack of progress in eliminating racial discrimination in Bermuda."

The Minister said following a detailed review it was decided CURE's functions are very similar to those of the HRC.

"These changes are seen as a first step towards providing Bermuda with a modern solution to address our historical inequities, as pledged by this Government in the November 2009 Speech from the Throne," she said.

Ms Butterfield pledged the HRC would be reviewed and restructured to create a 21st Century body that has responsibility for education and enforcement.

United Bermuda Party MP Charlie Swan said it was a shame to see the demise of CURE, which was set up under the UBP Government of 1995.

He said the PLP Government has done things that are "completely the opposite" of the intentions of CURE.

These include Parliamentary remarks from MPs, and the appointment of controversial race relations consultant Rolfe Commissiong, said Mr. Swan.

He said education is the key to bridging the racial divide, and added that if the HRC is made independent people would have more faith in it.

UBP Deputy Leader Trevor Moniz said Government has been fighting against itself over race for years and he's not sure folding CURE into HRC will solve any problems.

Mr. Moniz pointed to the Harold Darrell vs Bank of Bermuda case, in which Mr. Darrell called in the HRC, alleging discrimination against himself; later citing political interference by the Minister as his case failed to progress.

The veteran MP then recalled how PLP backbencher Terry Lister suggested Mr. Commissiong should be fired; and Government Senator Marc Bean's assessment of the education system as "trash".

Mr. Moniz also claimed Mr. Commissiong's Big Conversation was created to increase divisiveness.

"Since the PLP has been in place, the last 12 years they have failed," he said.

"The Government stands indicted by its own representatives that they have failed to create a better system. They seem to be at sixes and sevens among themselves as to how to proceed."

The bill was approved.