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3 holidays too many for business persons – Mrs Eileen L. Parsons, OBE

Historian and former legislator of the Virgin Islands Mrs. Eileen L. Parsons, OBE, has stepped forward to moot the call for leaders to consider the discontinuation of the three back-to-back holidays during the Emancipation Festival season. Photo: VINO/File
On hand at the discussion were several entrepreneurs. Photo: VINO
On hand at the discussion were several entrepreneurs. Photo: VINO
During a discourse with members of the Rotary Club of Tortola on July 31, 2014, Parsons was giving an historical reflection of how the many holidays came into being but insisted that it is time that is changed in the interest of businesses in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
During a discourse with members of the Rotary Club of Tortola on July 31, 2014, Parsons was giving an historical reflection of how the many holidays came into being but insisted that it is time that is changed in the interest of businesses in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
WICKHAM’S CAY II, Tortola, VI – Historian and former legislator of the Virgin Islands Mrs. Eileen L. Parsons, OBE, has stepped forward to moot the call for leaders to consider the discontinuation of the three back-to-back holidays during the Emancipation Festival season.

During a discourse with members of the Rotary Club of Tortola on July 31, 2014, she was giving an historical reflection of how the many holidays came into being but insisted that it is time that is changed in the interest of businesses in the Virgin Islands.

“I am saying and one of the messages in the booklet will say that it is time to rethink, business people can no longer afford three back-to-back holidays whether we want to believe it or not it is not financially sound,” she said.

Having given the background she asked the rhetorical question of who or which area it was going to be taken from. She had told the Rotarians that the second day August Tuesday came about because of the water sports activities and horse races that were held on that day.

“Well people from East End said that well if Road Town could have two days, We want a holiday and Mr Terrence Lettsome, a blessed memory, he argued and he politicked and East End got the third day,” she recalled.

“As it stands now you have four holidays because nobody goes to work on Thursday, they go Carrot Bay and then something is going to spring up on Friday so they going to have to give us the whole week off,” she opined.

She said it is now a very serious issue that needs to be looked at. “Let us face it and you all are businessmen (Rotarians) and you very well know that you do not like to have to pay your workers three days and they staying home, it does not make financial sense,” she insisted.

61 Responses to “3 holidays too many for business persons – Mrs Eileen L. Parsons, OBE”

  • xxxxxxxx (18/08/2014, 08:36) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    this lady again why the hell she did not put that in her recomendation to the photo minister eh?
    • Really??!! (18/08/2014, 11:08) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
      Who ever you referring to as the photo minister, does he take pictures of himself for any of these news sites? Man sometimes y'all just make me sick!!
      • doc (19/08/2014, 06:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Well, 'really' you are making yourself sick because you continue to read what people wrote
  • Well (18/08/2014, 08:46) Like (60) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think you want to cause a riot on this little island lol..............Them three holidays is everything
    • Quin (18/08/2014, 10:00) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everything!!
    • Say What? (18/08/2014, 15:27) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      Hong Kong is the major international centre as it relates to BVI BC Companies. Hong Kong has three day holidays and many more throughout the year.

      Yet, it is a country with some of the most wealthy.
  • Well Sah! (18/08/2014, 08:53) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply

    So it's that what that tr.itor gone to rotary to do behind our backs???

  • Fed Up (18/08/2014, 08:55) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is the ROTARY CLUB the government behind the curtain? Why everybody got to tell ROTARY everything first?
  • . (18/08/2014, 08:56) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a plot against our own.
  • Slavery (18/08/2014, 09:02) Like (63) Dislike (0) Reply
    So then why are we celebrating emancipation, cause this isn't much different from slavery. You give a day and take it back because it's not "financially sound". 3 days out of roughly 270 days (excluding weekends) going kill you Ms P? Especially knowing the reason why we getting them 3 days. B.S
  • ooooo (18/08/2014, 09:06) Like (56) Dislike (4) Reply
    ayo sure she aint had in one or two?
    • Yes (18/08/2014, 09:29) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      You spot on because everybody does be tight during festival week.
    • SIDS (18/08/2014, 09:41) Like (8) Dislike (56) Reply
      DID YOU BUY IT FOR HER? YOU SHOULD GET ONE OR TWO TO CLEAR YOUR DUM HEAD AND THEN YOU WOULD THINK POSSITIVELY. AS MISS P ALWAYS SAY CH ILD GO SI DUG.
    • laughter (18/08/2014, 10:45) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
      Nah man i think she had in 3..LOLLLLL
  • Don't Tell Lies (18/08/2014, 09:15) Like (67) Dislike (1) Reply
    Quote: "...business people can no longer afford three back-to-back holidays..." Yes, they can! Who wants to work can go to work on those days. Note when the days fall in the year too. At a time when both industry pillars, financial services and tourism, are both in slow period. Stop saying silly things to appease a few at the expense of the majority. Do a comprehensive research first. It is during these periods that those in the financial sector are able to have a decent vacation whether on or off island. January to early July is hectic for them. Those in the tourism sector get their well deserved break too at this time for when things get heated up. Further, the days off period bring visitors and family from abroad, for example when colleges and university close. Everything is work, work, work leading to no family time and family breakdowns. There is a time for everything under the sun. A time for work and a time for play. Go see if Hong Kong gonna give up their back-to-back holidays. The chinese know when to work and when to play. We hear a few complaining and we jump open our mouth before thinking and to look important.
  • Me (18/08/2014, 09:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Non Starter!
  • .... (18/08/2014, 09:20) Like (67) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lady did you do your research before claiming that no one works the Thursday and the Friday.. because I was at work along with 100+ co-workers... you need to go sit down with that nonsense...
  • pba (18/08/2014, 09:21) Like (50) Dislike (0) Reply
    What this old fool don't keep her mouth shut. It would be nice if there were stats from the businesses to prove what she is saying. From time I know myself the three holidays were here but in spite of that we still built a world class financial industry, a world class tourism product, and created an economy that has attracted the world to our shores. The older she get you see her true colors.
  • please (18/08/2014, 09:26) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    No disrespect to Mrs Parsons. But when she was working she didnt complain about the holidays right; now she retired she wants to take them away. LOL We look forward to those days thank you! On another note; this is the only country I see that when there are holidays everything shut down; if most places are open, people when they are off can do thier shopping and other things they cant get to do on a normal day. And the businessess wonder when we have holidays people leave and go to St. Thomas to shop, stay open and maybe people will stay here.
  • Caramel (18/08/2014, 09:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is Ms. P really. Emancipation Day or Carnival in every country is more than one day. No one gets Thursday off unless they on vacation.
  • set ah smart man (18/08/2014, 09:27) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Maybe the ndp sent she out wid dis to get a feed back?
  • Judge! (18/08/2014, 09:38) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Coming from someone who doesn't have to work another day in her life...smh!
  • ccitizen (18/08/2014, 09:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    makes no sense mrs p is this what we are comin to??? everybody sellin out for this dollar?? is it so impoortant?? yes we need it to make a living but wen u want it all the time now that is greed n evil..my advice to u...kill urself
  • Business Owner (18/08/2014, 09:55) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, these holidays are hard financially but for the well being of our staff they are good. I am sure any good business budgets the cost of these holidays in their financials just as we do each year when preparing our budget for the year ahead. Its not as if we don't know about it, always the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August.
  • Diego Penn (18/08/2014, 09:58) Like (45) Dislike (1) Reply
    Our founding political archtry have seen it fit to allow for these days for its people to celebrate and participate in the activities of festival a very significant cultural time for us all. Now we have those trying to fight in the name of THREE HOLIDAYS TO MANY FOR BUSINESSES well let me remind those in their fight the reason for the seaon THAT OUR FORE FATHERS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS WORKED AS SLAVES AND NEVER GOT PAID THEY DIED UNDER THE BRUTAL WIP, OUR MOTHERS WERE RAPED AND BEATING THEY THREW US OVER BOARD COMING FROM AFRICA WHEN WE LOOKED WEAK OR DIED IN THE BELLY OF THE SHIPS. THE ONE ARTHUR HODGE KILLED ONE OF US FOR LETTING A MANGO DROP FROM A TREE FULL WITH RIPE MANGOES and we here talking about paying the desendants of these same very slave for just THREE DAYS. I too is a businessman but we have to be very careful when we try to turn the hands on the blessings that have been bestowed on those that were oppressed for so long and at this time many still are. I will fight against this with every breath that I have trust me on that.
  • plain and simple (18/08/2014, 10:12) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are keeping our 3 holidays - plain and simple. These days were in place for how long? What do these holidays signify in our hisrtory? How many businesses were started since then?? Business owners do well to stop blaming these 3 well deserving holidays for their ineptness. Make the right decisions and plan well. Plain and simple.
  • pat (18/08/2014, 10:19) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    she need to go sit down just like she said the econamy is booming
  • ha hai!!!! (18/08/2014, 10:43) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think 3 shots of black label is too much.
  • vincyman (18/08/2014, 10:52) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    is emancipation weekend ms old lady,the same thing the holiday symbolize,u want being it in back,emancipate urself from white ppl an mental slavery an create a critical analytically,analysis about our ancestors..
  • Hmm (18/08/2014, 10:56) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    she just old and cant go nowhere and enjoy herself.... all she need to do is go home and get bed rest from trying to kill our little days they give us. Back in the days she didnt have a problem when she could have moved around.
  • RG50 (18/08/2014, 11:03) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree that we should not back track on the designated Holidays. As mentioned, most business sectors are still open during Festival, which begs the question should the banks be closed for 5 days? Yes we can use ATMs, if they are restocked and operational, and businesses can use Deposit Bags; however should a half day bank opening, say on Tuesday morning, be considered? I was in BP the Friday after Festival, long line ups inside, at ATM and Drive Thru. Was told it was much worse on Thursday. A half day opening would allow small business to make cash deposits and their customers to make cash withdrawals. It may also ease congestion at the banks the Friday before Festival Weekend and the 2 business days following.
  • mouth piece (18/08/2014, 11:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put a muzzle on it or cut it off.
  • Interesting (18/08/2014, 11:17) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    How easy is it for Mrs Parsons to advocate for the reduction of holidays...when she is on a permanent holiday. Those working Mon-Fri, 9-5 (in some cases extra hours and days) to provide for themselves and their families look forward to not only the time off, but the festivities that come along with the Festival celebrations. Rotarians are not the authority on matters such as these. Knowing my VI people, Im pretty sure it will be complete anarchy if this ridiculous idea is even given more thought. Its three days out of the year, give me a break. While I truly respect Mrs Parsons and her contribution to the the territory, I think she needs to sit this one out.
  • weed (18/08/2014, 11:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    in her old age she is loosing it...very sad
  • sense (18/08/2014, 11:56) Like (3) Dislike (37) Reply
    I agree with Ms. Parson. We do not need three back to back holidays. There is one capital, hold all festival parades in the capital. Each area can keep their form of activities without the taxpayers taxes paying for it. Ms. P explain to the committee how funds can be raised. Too much politicking in festival. This is the time when the population must come together and celebrate as one people.
  • No (18/08/2014, 11:59) Like (6) Dislike (15) Reply
    People need to read the labor code to really understand what the costs are of these three holidays. Even if persons don't work they get paid for these holidays. If persons owned businesses they would understand but it is obvious that all the bloggers are only employees. That is why most companies and businesses close days before and open days after to avoid the holiday pay. for many businesses it can be brutal
    • tricks (20/08/2014, 23:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

      ms pa..ons aint working but she still getting full pay , she is been driven about in a white caravan at tax payers expense. is that right?

  • Real Talk (18/08/2014, 12:40) Like (4) Dislike (26) Reply
    I saying this for years. We don't need a holiday on Wednesday and we don't need rise and shine on Monday, it should be on Tuesday so the parade can start at least 11 o'clock.
  • WHAT!!! (18/08/2014, 12:52) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    they must be crazy everybody look forward to those days...soon they going want to take back all holidays..you would swear we have a ridiculous amount of holidays a year...check PR..they have a crazy amount of hlidays and doing fine so 3 days wont kill and aint killed us yet.
  • All to yourself (18/08/2014, 13:24) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ms P you got Vino all to yourself today. LOL. Seriously though, does slavery mean nothing to you?
  • Yo (18/08/2014, 13:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is not a bad idea but in return all employees should not have to pay employment tax for the year how about that.
    • Agree (18/08/2014, 22:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes and they should get a bonus of 1/2 their annual salary in lieu of the 3 days
  • Worker (18/08/2014, 14:21) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't mind these people especially the Trust company. The majority of them stop giving BONUSES hardly give a salary increase and now trying to cut back on holidays.
  • Bob (18/08/2014, 14:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    Says the elderly lady who doesn't have to work another day in her life! No disrespect intended, but she sounds like a "house n...a."

    • roots (18/08/2014, 18:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are a number of house slaves all over the place. The problem is they are bowing to so called masters struggling just as much as them and they do not know it. If these people had the money they masquerade to have, do you think the BVI economy would be this bad off? So much for putting the so-called qualified persons in top trust companies positions. Someone published a recent article that showed the growing economies of Caribbean countries and BVI was no where on it.
  • Turtle Dove (18/08/2014, 15:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's see which political party/government pass this order....if they want vote they would keep sipping they tea and ignore Ms. P gibberish.
  • Pee (18/08/2014, 15:41) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Somebody please tell that jack@$$ that our ancestors worked for free as slaves for almost 300 years and she bawling about 3 days. A week can't even do justice for the pain and suffering that slaves endured on the path to freedom.
  • Wow! (18/08/2014, 18:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    These three holidays that we just started getting last year! Oh no! We have been celebrating them for donkey years, why is it that all of a sudden they are too many? Come on folks, let it be.
  • pic (18/08/2014, 19:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    HAVE THREE MORE SHOTS ON THAT
  • what (18/08/2014, 20:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is white, black, red and blue label talking!!!
  • bay yute (18/08/2014, 20:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just kill the East End prade
  • nbc (18/08/2014, 21:18) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please you all, don't be fooled, the old lady is testing the water to see if she stands a chance at the poles for the next election. But like the Cookie Monster, she doesn't have a leg to stand on, so she could go sit down.
  • Well Sah (18/08/2014, 21:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    She's going on like only tortola got 3 back to back holidays>>nevis, antigua, anguilla, grenada, barbados all celebrate at the same time.
  • jtv (18/08/2014, 23:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As ususl the ndp like big business over the people
  • Hmm (19/08/2014, 11:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    THAT OLD LADY NEED TO GO RELAX HERSELF. GO ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AND STOP WITH YOUR RIDICULOUS THOUGHTS.

    I HOPE THIS DOES NOT COME TO PAST.
  • liberal (19/08/2014, 12:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, this is shocking to hear and read what is being said about our Annual holidays, it's looking like she wants to cause a problem with this country... She should know what to say but her mouth like a race horse on the track at seacows bay.
  • Live, Love, Laugh (20/08/2014, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These so-called business people in disagreement with the 3 days holidays should take these days as oppotunities to reconnect with their families. Most of these people run so much after money and making money (because of their life style) that they neglect their family, causing a break down in society. People need time to unwind......and the August holidays are a great time to reconnect with family and friends. I dont agree with people who skip work the Thursday and Friday, if this is so (and this can be taken care of by not paying them); but my thing is, dont allow the innocent to suffer for those guilty of such behaviour....or those who just dedicate their lives to just work...and making money. Although important, there is more to life. Misery do love company!
  • bottle (20/08/2014, 19:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is nonsense. No point at all Baseless and clueless. Out of touch with society. Empty bottle full of noise
  • mr cool (23/08/2014, 22:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    u need to shot up u were in there u are now out the race
  • Joc (25/08/2014, 13:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms. P. I respect you and what you have done in the community but when it comes to our holidays you really going to make me pull my respect back. So I suggest you be quiet!!


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