Union leader Ed Ball is calling on Government to tighten up labour law to stop bosses intimidating loyal workers into leaving.

Mr. Ball claimed some unscrupulous firms in the financial sector were levering out long-serving employees to let in cheaper foreign replacements.

And he said he found it ironic that some blacks who had broken the race barriers in businesses around town were being forced out by black CEOs in cost-cutting moves.

"They are being replaced by persons from Singapore, South Africa and the like," claimed Mr. Ball.

He told The Royal Gazette that shell-shocked private sector employees were coming to the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) to get advice.

"Often people knock on our doors to seek counsel. There were a number of black Bermudians who worked for a private company for 25 to 35 years.

"A couple were the first to break down some of the race barriers. Because of the economic climate the employer wants them to do extra duties without paying extra money. They are told 'If you don't do it you are fired'."

When the issue of the Employment Act is raised the employees are told they will get severance pay, but only if they keep quiet and don't discuss it with a lawyer, claimed Mr. Ball.

"Now you can't do that in Government, there will be a process. But look at the private sector, I have known of black Bermudian professionals that have helped a company when it was small, they have grown with the company.

"The CEO comes in, doesn't like those people, they bring in colleagues from overseas.

"And slowly but surely duties are taken from the Bermudian who maybe launched a department. All of a sudden they are being called to the office, here's a package, take it, if you don't you are out the door.

"I am told this happens quite frequently in the private sector if they want to get rid of you they will change the terms and conditions, they frustrate you.

"I have been trying to ask the Minister of Labour to see if it is time to revise the Employment Act because in some jurisdictions, such as UK, that would be constructive dismissal."

And Mr. Ball said some Bermudian employees were being given advanced warning they were being made redundant some months down the line, but are told if they left early they would not get redundancy pay.

"That is unfair labour practice. You shouldn't be depriving Bermudians of finding a job and having money because you know you are going to wind up."

Mr. Ball said he was reluctant to name the companies involved as some redundancies were at a sensitive stage.

"We need more stringent guidelines on constructive dismissal and unfair dismissal and the conditions under which people are entitled to severance packages."

He said people should not be discouraged from getting legal advice about their plight as was the case in some firms.

"That is a right. And when people's job duties increase they have every right to talk about increased compensation without being intimidated. Intimidation is definitely getting worse," he added.

Mr. Ball said he hoped the Labour Advisory Council, a joint body of employers, unions and Government, would look at the issue.

The Bermuda Employers Council failed to respond to a request for comment.

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