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Cruise Lines commit to 1000 Jobs Initiative - Premier Fahie

-Says huge business incentives for joining; Official launch soon
Following the launch postponement of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has assured that the programme is still on track and revealed that several major companies are already lined up for the government partnership. Photo: VI HoA
“Among those already indicating they will come on board are our partners at Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and some of our other cruise lines. They have agreed to explore the opportunities available to partner with the BVI on the employment initiative,” Premier Fahie said. Photo: Internet Source
“Among those already indicating they will come on board are our partners at Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and some of our other cruise lines. They have agreed to explore the opportunities available to partner with the BVI on the employment initiative,” Premier Fahie said. Photo: Internet Source
The launch of the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative, scheduled for today, May 14, 2019, was postponed, according to a notice on the Facebook page ‘Premier’s Special Projects’. While not providing a new date and noting that more partnerships still have to be ironed out, Hon Fahie also revealed that the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days Initiative will be officially launched in a few days. Photo: Facebook
The launch of the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative, scheduled for today, May 14, 2019, was postponed, according to a notice on the Facebook page ‘Premier’s Special Projects’. While not providing a new date and noting that more partnerships still have to be ironed out, Hon Fahie also revealed that the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days Initiative will be officially launched in a few days. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following the launch postponement of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has assured that the programme is still on track and revealed that several major companies are already lined up for the government partnership.

The Premier was at the time making announcements at the Friday, May 17, 2019, Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth HoA of the VI, when he pointed to companies like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises as having already indicated interest to provide more local jobs.  

‘Every posse must work’ 

“Mr Speaker when we were in the midst of the campaign, we declared our known slogan in the Caribbean, ‘Every posse must work’ and while we captured the Caribbean vernacular to explain in one phrase, a serious policy position, we were determined that this was not relegated to a catchphrase tailored for a short campaign,” Hon Fahie told the House.

The 1000 Jobs in 1000 days promise came as part of the VIP Manifesto 2019, prior to the General Elections on February 25, 2019.

According to the Premier, he envisaged most of the jobs would be available in the tourism sector, which would lead to greater encouragement and promotion of investments, expanding existing service, as well as rebuilding the Territory’s infrastructure

“Mr Speaker it is through work we will empower our people and it is through work we will expand this economy. Work is part of a broad Government policy to broaden the consumer base so that people here can deliver goods and services, the earnings for which can be used for greater investments in our children and their future,” he further implored.

Big Incentives 

The Premier noted that to qualify for the initiative, “interested locally based businesses among others must register with the Premier’s office to be part of the programme.”

“Among those already indicating they will come on board are our partners at Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and some of our other cruise lines. They have agreed to explore the opportunities available to partner with the BVI on the employment initiative,” he said.

Further, the premier told the House that other businesses like Banco Popular, Riteway Food Markets and InterCaribbean Airways are more companies committed to joining the initiative.

“After a year of employment of people under this programme, the Government of the Virgin Islands through the Premier’s Office will pay a one-off 10% of the annual salary of the locals employed by the private sector,” he noted as part of the business incentive for hiring and training local workers. 

Building Partnerships 

“The most exciting thing about all of this is the example of the partnership we seek to build involving the government, local business and the people working together,” which according to Hon Fahie will boost the self-esteem of locals and help them take their rightful place in society.

While not providing a new date, and noting that more partnerships still have to be ironed out, Hon Fahie also revealed that the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative will be officially launched in a few days. 

5 Responses to “Cruise Lines commit to 1000 Jobs Initiative - Premier Fahie ”

  • 1 (18/05/2019, 12:14) Like (22) Dislike (9) Reply
    Now this is a government at work
  • just for a girl in his room (18/05/2019, 15:54) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
    Further proof that Hon Premier trip to sea Trade was worth something, unlike when MV use to go!.
    • balanced (20/05/2019, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      If the jobs, that the Premier states is coming from the cruiselines, then the fact the pier was completed would play a great part in that. You must give jack his jacket.
  • Quiet Warrior (19/05/2019, 04:41) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    What type of jobs this catchy 1000 jobs in a 1000 days slogan is intended to add to the workforce? Are they minimum wage, high tech...etc jobs? Other than the supposed 10% subsidy for LOCAL hires, what other measures government is instituting to boost employment? How much money is “fenced” in the 2019 budget for the 1000 jobs in a 1000 days programme? How will success be measured?
  • Sounds Good..Cart before Horse (19/05/2019, 07:42) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    All these talks sound good. Hope they are aware that the labour laws still give these employers the right to oppressed and victimized workers. 3 examples. 1/ Why are companies refusing to comply with the 50/50 employees pension plan..Why? When that will be the only little money the employees will walk away with when they decide to leave after their years of labour..(The government Knows those Companies) .2/ Why do we still have a law that allow employers to send employees home for 3 months without pay yet those same employees are on their books as employees and still have to abide by company policies. How are they suppose them and their family to eat ?.( in theses cases employees should receive 7 days pay for each month at home)... ..3/ How come we have laws that says promote or hire a supervisor / Manager pay them a Meega salary and work them 50 hrs a week. Every holiday with no kind of compensation simply because the labour law give them the green light to do that ? If a regular worker worked 50,hrs a week every holiday that employee salary at times can double their Manager / Supervisor salary..( Manager / Supervisor should work no more than 48 hrs per week and not back to back holidays without compensation, also days off are not to be wilfully given on a holiday. Some wicked bosses would wilfully put your day off on the holidays and have you work all the other 6 days.... These are the things that need fixing as to ensure workers security, integrity and fairness..


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