Government fought back at suggestions by the One Bermuda Alliance that its work permits moratorium policy is “counter-intuitive”.A statement by Economy Minister Patrice Minors on efforts to get Bermudians employed in the construction industry was subject to questions from OBA MP Shawn Crockwell in the House of Assembly.Mrs Minors had revealed that from 2010 to 2011 there was a reduction of 251 non-Bermudian workers in the industry and that there are 386 unemployed construction workers.But she admitted that the reasons for the reduction in non-Bermudian workers was not fully known.“Without question, some of the decrease relates to work permit refusals that have been aligned with the current moratorium,” she said.At question time, Mr Crockwell suggested that the moratorium is “counter-intuitive if the Government now is burdened with the obligation to find these individuals jobs”.The Minister said that Government sees it as their responsibility to get Bermudians employed, not as a burden.“What is important is the need to get Bermudians employed within the construction industry,” she said to a further question from Mr Crockwell.Asked if the 251 reduction in jobs held by non-Bermudians had been matched by the employment of Bermudians, Mrs Minors said she could not say.“I can’t confirm that but what I will say, Mr Speaker, we’re making every effort to ensure that every unemployed Bermudian whether a mason or a carpenter is indeed employed.”The Progressive Labour Party later attacked the OBA in a statement following the exchanges.“The Progressive Labour Party completely rejects the view of the OBA that this Government should not do everything it can to assist putting people back to work,” the statement read.“We hear very little about the OBA’s plans for this Country, however this rejection of a policy that puts Bermudians first shows that the OBA seems to be willing to sacrifice the aspirations of Bermudians as they look to find work.“The Progressive Labour Party wholly supports the Government’s efforts in making sure that Bermudians come first and applauds Minister Patrice Minors for her bold action in this area. What the OBA may deem a burden, the PLP deem to be a responsibility. That responsibility is to ensure that unemployed Bermudians find work.”