Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

2 employees alleged racism & discrimination @ Oil Nut Bay

Allegations are being levied against management of Oil Nut Bay Resort as being guilty of race discrimination. Photo: oilnutbay.photos
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – “I know that nothing will be done about this but we cannot take that just so, we have to continue to sound the word until someone somewhere hears us and steps in to do something about this thing,” those were the words of a Virgin Islander resident of Virgin Gorda.
She was at the time expressing her pains about allegations of some ‘Elite’ Resorts on the Island which continue to discriminate against local and ‘Blacks’ in general. The woman said that she has taken her concerns to all levels of government but as always nothing is ever done.

One resident told this news site of her personal experience which allegedly forced her to resign from Oil Nut Bay resort recently. She said that she join the staff just a little under a year ago as a Senior of Reservations.

She alleged that she was soon after demoted to the position of House Keeper Supervisor but the plug was pulled recently after attempts were made to further demote her to the Laundry. “All of this is what they were doing to me to give position to ‘white’ face persons, I seem to have known too much and their people felt threatened and they kept setting me up and just kept pulling me down,” said the distraught woman.

She said that she is a well qualified person in the hospitality and tourism sector and has held prominent positions with very good records. In the most recent incident where she claimed someone planted a clump of hair in a drawer after the room was cleaned under her supervision she was told that she was going to be put in the Laundry department and if she improves after six month she would have returned to her substantive post.

“We have a local Human Resources and Government relations officer there that straight up does not look out for us. They called me into a meeting and he never came to that meeting and he was present at work that day,” she said.

Another related, “What happens out here at these resorts make me feel the pain of slavery and race discrimination of our forefathers afresh again. I will be celebrating our 60th Emancipation anniversary in pains and grief because especially here on Virgin Gorda we are not emancipated we are still bound by chains.”

It was recalled that on the very ‘Elite’ Resort, Oil Nut Bay, there is a tendency of covering up the faults of ‘white’ workers who are never penalized as the ‘black’ workers. They referred to a senior level member staff who recently destroyed a caddy, is more often than not in a drunken stupor but is never subject for any disciplinary actions much less demotion or dismissal.

A senior ‘Black’ finance officer was also forced to resign because of being put out to put in a ‘White’.

This news site did call to speak with both the Human Resources Manager and the Resort Manager to no avail. They said that the HR person was out and would not have been in for the remainder of the day while the General Manager of Resort Operations Mr Jonathan Oakes was not available to speak with us. Through an operator a promise was made to return our call but this was not done up to press time. 

The Ministry responsible of such issues, Labour, said that once such complaints are brought to them they do investigate. The officer insisted that her name not be mentioned.

“I fed up of Labour, they always say they would investigate but nothing comes out of it and we own, born BVIslanders and expats living here for years never get any justice,” said one of the concerned persons.

63 Responses to “2 employees alleged racism & discrimination @ Oil Nut Bay”

  • Oh La La (11/06/2014, 09:08) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    "planted a clump of HAIR" Bwaa ha ha ha. Are you kidding me.
  • ooooo (11/06/2014, 09:14) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply

    the minister for the subject seems like he is in ... with oil nut

  • big money (11/06/2014, 09:34) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    A lot of Big Money does not believe they are subject to the rules of decency, common courtesy or indeed of the land. They use their money and influence to subjugate others to their interests rather than to benefit the community around them. Examples? Take a look at Wall Street bankers, large corporations, or even the issue of the Beef Island airport expansion.
  • trrefdrfds (11/06/2014, 09:39) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is not the first and it won't be the last. Every word is true. The owner has the Government in his pockets. They cannot do anything to help the people. Labour is of no use in this situation. Had it been probably another establishment, it couls have been investigated. I will repeat myself. Labour nor any other department of Government can't touch these people. Read the agreement signed, sealed and delivered by our Honourable Premier in June of 2006/7. These people call the shots, not Government. I would like all residents of the Virgin Islands to again read the story of "Guy Faulk" (Forgive me if I've spelt the name wrong). Ladies and gentlemen what will become of future generations in this B.V.I? Our people are hurting, who can we turn to but God. We need another Lavity Stoutt and not today, since yesterday. We need help fast. I won't be sorry if there is a snap election in the Virgin Islands. This big, little nation is surely going down the path of destruction. We need some relief. I know there are a few members of this Government who are not happy about what they see happening. I am calling on those of you to step out of the web of corruption for the good of this country and its people. A change MUST come!!!! Enough is Enough!!!! I am asking the Honourables Andrew Fahie and Julian Fraser to address this in the HOA on Friday. Enough is Enough!!! It is high time for the truth to be unfolded. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? S.O.S!!! When the citizens of a country are experiencing extreme duress, it is cause for great concern. Where are our Leaders? I understand the Boat Captains are weary, sleepy from the early morning trips, 2, 3, 4 Am.......
    • Speak Truth to Power (11/06/2014, 11:03) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank You. Unless you have experienced blatant discrimination in the work place you have no idea what it feels like. It cuts at the entire fabric of your being. Daily, you witness and confirm that there are two sets of rules. One for the whites and a completely different set for the descendants of the enslaved Africans to include the penalties for the same or lesser offenses. But," he who has the gold makes the rules and our leaders continue to sign agreements without having persons versed in such negotiations and contracts present at the time so, we will continue with much of the same. You mentioned the Honorable H. Lavity Stoutt, who often reiterated Proverbs 29:18 which says in part "Where there is no vision, the people perish"............he would be ashamed of the shortsightedness (among other things) taking place in his beloved BVI today. SMDH
      • SPeak up (12/06/2014, 00:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        It is almost vindicating to see people are speaking up. I worked at a law firm and when I cited racism, they fired me (cleverly using another local to do their deed).
    • NICK (11/06/2014, 13:06) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      Another nail in the NDP coffin. Perception is a powerful thing. This is the same reason why they lost the election in 2007. The negative perception....
    • dog (11/06/2014, 23:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      It has always been true and was even predicted that Government was dazzled by big money and promises of big riches and a piece of the pie. Events bring in millions and give BVI glamour with mega-yatchts, hotels etc. In a way I blame the BVI people for not paying attention. There is a pattern with outside rich developers and everyone wants to jump on the band wagon to get part of the action. It was never going to happen. I blame residents who don't hold administration accountable, who don't demand that the walk match the talk, that agreements be more transparent. People do not pay attention to news stories or social events that have implications. Those accused "haters" have been trying to blow the whistle for years about these agreements and ministers who sign on for money or prestige. the deals where the developer gives $10,000 to the community centre in order to build $400mil development is ignorance at its best. the monthly electric bill is more than that!! yet these gestures sweeten the deals. ridiculous. And the money never stays in the islands but gets sent back home. As seen, the upper management jobs go to their team and BVI is left with the service jobs. That was predictable and even warned about with the Beef Island development court case. I blame the people for not paying attention. In a democracy, it is the people's responsibility to make sure Government works for THEM. Demand more public meetings and hold administration accountable!!
  • bvi (11/06/2014, 09:42) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply

    It's happening to staff at the biggest law firm in the BVI as well. They brought in a d...on woman to get rid of all the locals one by one and two by two.

    • Correction (11/06/2014, 10:25) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
      Are you sure that's what's happening? look within yourself please. It's funny that it's okay for local managers to mistreat and hold back their local workers but as they start to feel the pinch from outside then they complain. When will we address the issues of locals taking advantage of other locals? If locals held one head these people wouldn't be able to come in and do what they're doing.
    • Really (11/06/2014, 20:40) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Which biggest law firm is this? May you are one of the non productive staff why you feeling the pinch. Buckle up and stop goofing off on the job and just maybe you see a difference. Just saying don't even have a clue!
  • xxxxxxxx (11/06/2014, 09:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    what else is new here? eh
  • Irucy (11/06/2014, 10:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is disgusting discrimination anywhere is discrimination everywhere. All the powers that can must eliminate this practice.
  • bvi (11/06/2014, 10:08) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply

    Dr Pick...ng causing all of this

  • kkk (11/06/2014, 10:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    its not only in the private sector but in goverment but remeber a big man say he is not a racist?
  • pat (11/06/2014, 10:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is just wrong
  • please (11/06/2014, 10:38) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    What nonsense, just trying to get people riled again. Maybe she was just not good at her job
  • @@bvi (11/06/2014, 10:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even in scriptures it says that you cannot serve two Masters. Go figure...
  • dude (11/06/2014, 10:54) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    You have a serious self value problem when you ignore what is right to become a modern day indentured servant. That's a choice that you make. Some of us rather have their respect than their crumbs of $$$.

    The good Dr. ignored BVI law for them, Another PS left the gov to work for them. All to be in their company, if it was an burnt skin Billionaire they wouldn't have. LOL
    We hate Sowande & Edu Enka for their African names, we hate rastas for their African hair but we respect them for doing what we would not consider.
    Judas didn't know his value so he tripped up over silver not even gold. Reminds me of the BVI soul.
    • Ey! (11/06/2014, 18:14) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      They hate every black brother who makes an effort to do good in this country. Our own people hate each other especially when they are on the rise.

      They enjoy seeing your fall or fail.
  • Well (11/06/2014, 11:01) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The problem can be solved quite easily. We make life for them very difficult in the Virgin island. I think black people knows what to do quite well when racism knocks at their door. It has been don't throughout the Caribbean and they will leave quite easily.
    • oh really (12/06/2014, 08:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Thats why white people are here posing a problem? BecAuse we already ran them out and its easy. Sounds foolish. Do we allow some whites to stay or do we get rid of them all. What about white bvislanders can they stay? Reverse some of the terms And and roles and you have the exact set up for racism that we have fought against for years. Black people can be racist and xenophobic also and making statements like that take us down a dangerous path.
  • wize up (11/06/2014, 11:12) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    nothing will be done: especially under this NDP.. yes i said it,now you run go talk it!!!!
  • Subjectedtoreacism (11/06/2014, 11:21) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    They practice racist hiring practices at law firms. Hiring the British whites before the add is even placed in the pares, then they specialise the ad to the selected candidate to prevent locals and black Caribbean nationals from filling the requirements.
    • wize up (11/06/2014, 11:53) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      the department of labor allows it; so you cant blame the law firm or any other business; at the end of the day its our own people that allows such practices...its all about the money these days(trust me)..ask the ministers there is life after politics,,,,,,
    • Free reign (12/06/2014, 00:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

      Yes, they well blatant with it. Remember that one, think his name was W...er R...ch or something, get up the other day, bold as can be and said he long to and desire to fire locals without Labour Dept getting involved? The NDP done give them free reign.

  • shame.... (11/06/2014, 11:33) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    Sometimes the people who are always crying racism are usually the most racist people out there. I'm just saying.....
    • Subjectedtoreacism (11/06/2014, 15:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      I guess no one should speak out against racism for fear of being labeled a racist. Your "reasoning" does not make sense.
  • my people (11/06/2014, 11:38) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    My people it sickens my heart to see this. We need to stop pointing fingers and look to resolve this type of situation before we are left jobless. I hear the cries of these two employees loud and clear and we need to do better for the people of this country. We need to form a Union to protect us from the scrutiny that we are facing today. No one should have to be diminished without a valid probable cause so that others can get ahead.
  • judge (11/06/2014, 11:44) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    That is good for you people; I taught it was the so call down-island people you all focus on taking advantage off and abusing verbally. well the whites id treating the BVIslanders like Sh-t and not even the PM could do a thing about... good of you silly people. Some Europeans are kicking in your back door..
  • DON Q (11/06/2014, 12:36) Like (12) Dislike (14) Reply
    Good ayo teck that for voting ndp
  • Realist (11/06/2014, 12:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its true d govt is allowing racism to get money
  • well well well (11/06/2014, 13:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look at that wow
  • I see it. (11/06/2014, 13:42) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    It happening over necker island too. But ppl afraid to stand up and speak out. Cause we don't have nobody in the BVI to represent us...I see it for myself. So call big men come over an fool them off with lunch an money under the table.
  • Yes (11/06/2014, 14:18) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Who give out the most work permit exemptions and status to outsiders than the last VIP administration? LMFAO! To those people talking about NDP vs VIP trust me, that's not a good argument to make, TRUST ME!
  • ----------------- (11/06/2014, 14:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    It does not matter if you are black or white
  • usa (11/06/2014, 14:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I feel like i am in the deep south
  • VG (11/06/2014, 16:03) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    lets go back to the wild wild west shoot those mf's out get or islands back
  • mmm (11/06/2014, 16:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Racim is alive and well
  • Gregra (11/06/2014, 17:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can labour address this matter with the thoroughness required? Absolute not that is the full of it. For one the money spent already and the rave is still high for the new aristocrat. Who was in the bed with these newly arrived millionaires and billionaires we can only suppose. Ha! But seriously labour has not the tools, manpower nor ferocity to attack or strangle these happenings. Sadly the poor will have to bend over and take what they get or cut their losses. Who is it to represent the people when they are suffering? I sure don't know why some when election come around thrust their hands in the air and shout boisterously that they want to representative the people. So when will you do this represent thing eh?
  • tretretrete (11/06/2014, 19:04) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am not saying that there is not racism going on but first we should find out what was the problem with the lady that cause them to move her from house keeping supervisor to the laundry. Every body like to comment on one side before we hear the other side let us be real here people. The lady been working there for a year already .If they didn't want her why did they hire her.
  • The Solution (11/06/2014, 22:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is an NDP trademark alright. They allow it. So my people, come election what are you going to do about it? Amnesia is not an option.
  • dude (11/06/2014, 23:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Hmmm I don't dislike your comment. But R U TRULY that naïve? She was SENIOR OF RESERVATIONS.
    • tretretrete (12/06/2014, 09:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @dude I really don't care who like r dislike the comment and I am no stupid it's jus the was I see it and everyone have the right to the own opinion. And that is yours so the name calling does not make you better than them
  • At their whimpsy (12/06/2014, 00:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

    O.. N.t B.y? For a moment there, I thought the company was ATU. They have a penchant of demoting blacks at their whimsy. I guess they must all share ideas around their dinner tables.

  • kkk (12/06/2014, 03:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not a rscist
  • white man (12/06/2014, 05:32) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why does everyone bring race into it , more likely she could not do the job so moved her to a job she could do. This little small island will not move forward for the locals as long as you think its Black and White thing. We are here to nurse you so when you grow up you can actually do things on your own
    • @Whiteman (12/06/2014, 07:46) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      "We are here to nurse you so when you grow up you can actually do things on your own"......have you ever heard "Don't start nothing and there won't be nothing"??? Okay, then shut the H*ll up You sound so stupid...no wait...you sound so ....oh wait...can't type that.
    • BlackandLocal (15/06/2014, 18:18) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @whiteman. Im Black and a local and I use to think like the rest of my fellow black Virgin Islanders until one day my eyes were open. Fellow Virgin Islanders I am sorry to say this and I know most of you wont want to hear this but the white guy is right. Most of you are switched off mentally. You are only interested in earning a pay check and that just does not cut it. No one wants to pay you to be on your phone on Instagram and Facebook all day. You need to take responsibility for yourselves and ownership when your on the job. These are the qualities employers look for. But most of you only want the paycheck so you can get the cars and flaunt it around the rest of your fellow blacks. You need to grow up.
  • justice (12/06/2014, 06:37) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sista u need to get abaseball bat and go work them
  • Racism (12/06/2014, 08:12) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Many of the comments posit the issue as a black vs white issue, yet really this is an issue of big money vs the rest. While the alleged discrimination may well be true, keep in mind the ONB has also discriminated against prospective buyers who do not meet their desired profile. Lastly, it bears mentioning that discrimination against non belongers, regardless of skin color is regrettably not unusual in this land.
  • Martin (12/06/2014, 08:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know the lady who is one of the persons who discriminated against. School children say the owner felt like she was too ugly to greet his guests and questioned why she was hired as Reservations manager. That is supposedly the reason why they transferred her to house keeping. What a thing.
  • Well Sir (12/06/2014, 08:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know that lady and she is not ugly and in this world all of us could not look the same or be the same size that is nonesense, I know I have been discriminated
    Every day with the people I work with and all of them black but that will not stop me from doing my best so it's not white alone does it our own black as well may the Lord help us all
  • dude (12/06/2014, 11:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well in my life I have seen South African apartheid, I have seen Police racial profiling lead to physical abuse, I have seen in the states where being black made it hard to get jobs. I have seen holocausts. So for those who haven't seen those things I applaud & envy them.

    But I live in the real world. Where the BVI top tier jobs in key industries are not even offered to the locals. Where deals are made to facilitate South African, Jewish and Broke European business men at the expense of qualified locals. Can we even sail to the beach at Oil Nut Bay anymore?

    The BVI society has been divided like a pizza and is easy to tear apart and the mindless cultureless characterless few have made that possible. That tactic is as old as politics itself. Is it a coincidence the things that the governor is aware of yet permits to go unchecked here?
  • BVI is ot (12/06/2014, 13:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI is not a place at welcome racist people
  • What about? (12/06/2014, 18:26) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    What if I told you that she wasn't fired, she quited. It wasn't her look, nor her skin color... It was her attitude, the classic "I born here" attitude that a lot of locals have (not all, neither most luckily). She was not prepared nor she wanted to provide the premium treatment that the big players are seeking. She was defended numerous times by the same guy she's putting the blame.

    Now she's trying to create this racist issue, black against white, nonsense!!!!


    It's a job, you either stick to the rules and do your job as required or there will be consequences. You don't get, nor deserve special treatment because "you born here". Get that through your skull people, the fact that you were born here, doesn't give you the right to not do the work or not follow the rules.
    • ???? (17/06/2014, 15:46) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ What about? You need to stfu!!!! you don't seems to know what the hell you're saying.... Get your facts them straight and then you come on and make your comments. Darn a....
  • Reality grip (12/06/2014, 21:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad situation which wil not end in this small island beautiful island of ours. This is when you accept all kinds of things just handed to you without questions. People treat you as they like especially when you wear the hat catering for tourism. I personally face a great amount of this kind of behavior on a daily basis. Can you imagine people throwing things at you for instance as if your presence is absent, not responding to you when you speak to them and literally ignoring you which is total disrespect. If I have to travel abroad to someone else s country or state and will behave in this manner I personally believe I will stay put and prefer not to travel out from my little island or country. The things that are happening as the concerned victim mentioned are not being addressed in the manner in which they should be creating much difficulty for persons to remain living comfortably in these islands, considered paradise gone out the window.
  • bvi girl (14/06/2014, 07:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is sorrowful what the BVI has come to for its own people. Sold out by our elected government officials so they can hob nob with the super wealthy. We are strangers in our own land. BVI apartheid will make that of South Africa look benign. How about our government officials getting money from these super rich to help our country. I do not see much philanthropy to benefit our islands; but if we don't ask, we will not receive. God bless the BVI!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.