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Businesses using pandemic to make 'slaves of our people'– Hon Maduro-Caines

- says guilty businesses even taking a cut of Social Security pay-out
Sixth District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) says some business have now started to use the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to take advantage of workers. Photo: HoA/File
Hon Alvera Maudro-Caines also alleged that some employees have even started taking a cut of social security money paid over by the Government for employees. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Alvera Maudro-Caines also alleged that some employees have even started taking a cut of social security money paid over by the Government for employees. Photo: Internet Source
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Sixth District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) says some businesses have now started to use the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of their workers.

“There are employers who want their employees cut their working day in half… they expect them to give them a whole day work for half salary, that is not good,” Hon Maduro-Caines said during the Fourth Sitting of The Second Session of The Fourth HoA at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola on September 29, 2020.

“They are taking this COVID-19 pandemic and making slaves of our people, that’s what they are doing,” she continued.

According to the third-term legislator, with the lockdowns during key business hours eased, people are buying food, buying clothes and going about their daily routines with most of the stores opening all day.

Full hours with half salary – Hon Maduro-Caines

“But yet you still have your employees working half-day and expect them to put in 8 hours on 4 hours and get 4 hours of pay.”

The legislator further pointed out that some employees have even started taking a cut of Social Security money paid over by the Government for employees.

“How much more evilness can we see coming from some of these employers concerning these persons who are already now struggling?”

Hon Maduro-Caines urged such businesses to stop the practice and instead look into the interest of the people of the Virgin Islands in this time of need.

25 Responses to “Businesses using pandemic to make 'slaves of our people'– Hon Maduro-Caines”

  • NICK (05/10/2020, 16:08) Like (19) Dislike (14) Reply
    Talking is easy,bring some proof please.
    • Thank U. (05/10/2020, 16:41) Like (47) Dislike (19) Reply
      Slave not the right word... its oppressed and victimized.... One thing this Pandemic taught me.. they hate us.. No manager should be on work permit.. How could a work permit holder be making schedule for citizens and belongers when they hate us just because we born here....We are the first to get send home..
      • ausar (06/10/2020, 09:32) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
        BELONGERS:

        Stop sell them aryo land!

        Stop charging "foolishness" to them for rent and learn to charge upwards of three grand a month!

        Stop marrying them and making "Belongers on the cheap", out of them!

        Too many of you Belongers, are guilty of enabling these people under the guise of benevolence!

        STOP IT!
    • Rubber Duck (06/10/2020, 08:43) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Name names. Act on people who don’t hand over the money they have deducted from employees. Stop spouting slogans.
  • lol (05/10/2020, 16:26) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Go easy grasshopper
  • No (05/10/2020, 16:28) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply

    So how do employers get a cut from Social security when its paid directly into employees bank account. .

    • This i know (05/10/2020, 16:47) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      Ain't no way a company have 30 staff 15 getting 30 hrs A week and the other 15 home sitting down... can't be right..We all have to eat.. Give everyone.18 hrs. . These employers out of control in this place... who is going to fix this....
    • DEDE (05/10/2020, 19:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ No

      Let me try an explain how this might be possible. Have you ever submit a claim to Social Security? When a claim is made and action is taken they notify both employer and employees. If you are paid the letter usually states how much and for period you are being paid for( ie date). Employers do this by paying employees less claiming SS paid them already. So the get to claim on their taxes, NHI and SS a lower figure thus they get to keep extras. ( money they deduct from your pay that should be paid into these entities) Thus the payment to you will be less than it should be.

      If employers are indeed taking employees money they wrong for doing it been going on for years. (Eg Health Services Authority). They want you to sign the cheque and give it to them. They intern will pay you and usually it short and have to go argue with them (Health) to get your right pay. This could be month sometime and in some cases a lawyer threat.

      Anyhoo nothing new here.
      • @DeDe (05/10/2020, 22:32) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

        Do you guys forget that the Employer also pays a portion of NHI and SS for EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE? If SS pays you for 20 hours from Monday to Wednesday, why the hell should the employer pay you as well? You have been compensated, the system works! You pay SS and the employer pays SS. So you get in an accident and the wrongful person get their insurance to pay you for the damage. Do you go back to the person themselves asking them to pay you for the same damage? It's the same concept! Do not forget NHI and SS are a two-way street, the employer and employee both pay into the system and are BOTH entitled to benefit from any claims. It is NOT a one-way street. If employees want it their way then change the law so employees only pay into SS. Further, SS would only pay on a claim in special circumstances, i.e. you are injured or been out of work for a period. If you are out of work but your employer is still paying your wage, of course they will deduct any benefit you get from SS, there's no free lunch. The problem here is that people see businesses as a cash cow and feel that they should just do what they want, get what they want and that's that. Real life doesn't work that way! These representatives need their heads checked, always blabbing about some bull**** they themselves don't even understand.

  • nonsense (05/10/2020, 17:10) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    These politicians sit down and listen to every little story their supporters and leaches bring to them without substantiating anything and just run to HOA and elsewhere with it. Do you guys even know how slavery was? Stop the foolishness and let's train our people the proper way because they will suffer in the long run. All this foolish talk is not going to help the young local people get anywhere.
  • 2020COVID (05/10/2020, 17:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply

    Better measuring sticks next time, employers. Find a way to measure output. If you expect 20 items to be produced in a regular 8 hour day, then you should expect 10 items to be produced in 4 hours. Further, employees should understand that employers on the down low do not have to keep hem employed. However right is right and wrong is wrong. If the employees are expected to do 8 hours in 4 hours, they should be paid full pay. I always believe that it is never beneficial for the employee to work from home when it comes to some employers. If they not seeing you working, you are not working. An employee working from home usually have to work 1.5 hours for each hour worked in the office. Better to work in the office. In this regards, some employers stupid anyway. They think they more smarter than employees - but there is always more than 1 way to skin a cat.

    To both parties - employers & employees - be fair in all your dealings.
  • VG Resident (05/10/2020, 17:30) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Oh my god, we have to work! Give me a break!
  • trrefdrfds (05/10/2020, 17:36) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honourable caines, if this is taking place i am happy that you can stand strong to address it. But you need to tell your government to give the people the assistance the premier call the immediate assistance to the people because it is three and four months now and there is no assistance.
  • Fixed? (05/10/2020, 17:59) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    No offence but for an island of people who are descended from slaves the word "slave" is banded about a LOT! As if it has lost its true meaning.

  • soo (05/10/2020, 18:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The legislator further pointed out that some employees have even started taking a cut of Social Security money paid over by the Government for employees.

    Please explain? I do not understand this statement.
  • Newsflash (05/10/2020, 19:40) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some employers started taking advantage of their employees form the get go. As soon as lock down was announced in March a certain employer found it convenient to start giving their employees crumbs. When one employee questioned this LOW and EVIL practice he was fired without any benefits. The sad part is that despite making formal complaint to the Labor Department not even the courtesy of a reply was received. The government of the Virgin Islands is the one encouraging this wicked behavior. This place is crooked and corrupt. Justice is reserved for a chosen few. Our elected representatives are a waste of time and yet they wonder why the young people behave the way they do. It is largely because they have lost hope in this crooked system and are disgusted with the hypocrisy of the leadership at all levels. You people need to do better. The blood of the INNOCENT is on your hands.
  • Not true (05/10/2020, 20:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    i think you will find that it is local businesses owners who have ripped off the work permitted expats by deducting tax social security and nhi and NOT submitting it..so hush with the unfounded accusations and implying its expats doing this evil theft.

    i can name 10 local employers ...easily...who are high up in society who have been doing this..and yet we let them get away with it and try and blame others..its our own doing it and its disgusting that the government t let it go
    • Shy (06/10/2020, 07:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you could name ten maybe you are working for everyone og them. How many hours you give each one? Who really put in for your permit,smarty?
  • Well (05/10/2020, 21:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the legislator doing to tangibly address this issue? What measures are being proposed to minimize this from happening.
  • Not Rocket Science (06/10/2020, 02:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Due to social distancing measures and curfew, income generation has decreased even if one works a full 8hour day. A business cannot have as many customers in their establishment as before. Only supermarkets are getting a pass when it comes to social distancing and capacity at any given time.

    Employers, instead of giving your staff a reduced salary, just reduce your staff. This will add to the number of unemployed people seeking unemployment/stimulus benefit from social security (which they may not get, I guess the Government isn't wicked for denying, delaying assistance or giving people pittance) which will in-turn reduce the amount of money you have to pay in SS, NHI, IR taxes which will in-turn reduce the Government's revenue.

    Employees, if you don't want the pay cut, then quit. How the Labour minister is rolling, you'll be alright (ha ha). He'll love it too. Another job has become available for an already unemployed person to have. As you can see, the Government is not helping you. They just highlight social issues and do nothing about it. They can't make employers do anything. They can't make banks do anything either. Just talk talk talk. What is most wicked is having people apply for Government help (through Social Security, District Representative, Trade Dept) and 4 months later NOTHING.
  • @@DeDe (06/10/2020, 07:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When Social Security pay the employee they only pay a pecentage of those 30 hours. Eployer suppose to pay the employee the rest.
  • All talk (06/10/2020, 08:26) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Hon. Maduro-Caines talks a lot. Does she forget that as a legislator she is in a position to take some action? If businesses are engaged in crooked practices then do something about it. 'Urging them to stop' looks good for the newspapers but in reality achieves nothing. Its like telling criminals to stop committing crime but not bothering to use the police to stop them
  • Expat (06/10/2020, 14:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    and we complain labour not helping us or if we leave the job we cannot get another one so easily. We will be told to go back to where we come from. So we have to take it and work like a slave.
  • Clarify... (06/10/2020, 15:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What does she mean by: 'you still have your employees working half-day and expect them to work 8 hours on four hours and get four hours of pay.' - I can't understand it. Is she saying that when employees are working for 4 hours at work then going home and putting in another 8 hours? Or is she saying that employers are expecting employees to complete 8 hours of work in 4 hours? Surely - employees should be paid for the hours they are actually working for their employer. So if they are only in work for 4 hours per day they get paid for 4 hours. I really hope she is not throwing her support behind employees who are complaining because for the shorter 4 hour days they have to actually work hard to do anything productive - this would be shameful.


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