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New work permits far outweigh job losses – Premier Smith

- says evidence suggests jobs need to be filled
Premier and Finance Minister Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, in addressing the issue of job losses in the Territory during his Budget Address in the House of Assembly (HOA) yesterday, January 14, 2014 said current evidence shows that new work permits issued far outweigh job losses being experienced. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith disclosed that empirical evidence seems to suggest that indeed there is a supply of jobs that needs to be filled in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith disclosed that empirical evidence seems to suggest that indeed there is a supply of jobs that needs to be filled in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Finance Minister Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, in addressing the issue of job losses in the Territory during his Budget Address in the House of Assembly (HOA) yesterday, January 14, 2014, said current evidence shows that new work permits issued far outweigh job losses being experienced.

“…beyond the new job prospects from new businesses, evidence suggests that traditionally the number of new work permits being issued far outweigh job losses,” Premier Smith told the House in his address titled 'Towards Stability and Growth'.

“Empirical evidence seems to suggest that indeed there is a supply of jobs that needs to be filled in the Territory,” Premier Smith added.

Although a wave of job losses had hit the Territory recently, the Finance Minister, who expressed concern over the situation, rejected notions that these were related to any weaknesses experienced by the economy.

Instead, he suggested that organisations were largely responsible for the job losses in their quest to become more efficient.

“I am aware that these job losses and other changes within businesses are being frequently pointed to as evidence of the weakness of the economy as this is a basic indicator used to measure economic strength. However, in many of the cases here in the BVI, these actions were based on the relevant organisations’ quest to become more efficient, not a failing BVI economy.”

Job creation efforts

Dr. Smith noted that his Government pledges to do everything within its power to facilitate the reintegration of persons into the work force, as well as, to create new jobs.

He added that energies would be focused on creating meaningful jobs for Virgin Islanders so that they can have long term employment security and pursue meaningful careers.

According to the Premier, this will positively boost their sense of pride and affect the quality of life they and their families will have in addition to promoting economic development.

Premier Smith further reported that persons who have lost jobs are being re-absorbed into the job market, even within Government itself. He credited much of the re-absorption to the positive efforts of his administration.

He expressed confidence that there will be greater resilience in the job market and said this confidence arises in part from the major infrastructural projects that have been selected to positively affect economic growth.

“These projects will provide jobs in the short and long term and facilitate skills transfer and training to our people that will enhance their employability,” Dr Smith stated.

21 Responses to “New work permits far outweigh job losses – Premier Smith”

  • vex (14/01/2014, 08:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is getting the job is the question he miss
  • wow (14/01/2014, 08:33) Like (15) Dislike (13) Reply
    This man doc smith head is still in the sand…Forbes sing it...They lay off locals then get work permits for expat and whites wake up Dr. Smith your people are suffering
    • Yeesh (14/01/2014, 09:33) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      @SMH
      expat and whites Wouldn't Expat just have covered all the colours? Or did you need to poke the prejudice button? Pretty disgusting really, agree with your point but really hate how you went about making it! Bigot.
    • Ha! (14/01/2014, 10:59) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      A business is a business. It is set up to provide a service and MAKE MONEY in the end. It is not set up to provide jobs and pay people. If you start a business, you take a loan from the bank or use your savings. You credit/purchase goods/services from third-parties as a part of your offering so therefore, you have obligations. The only way you make a decent profit and keep paying your bills is if you have consistent and dedicated employees. Locals get the job 99% of the time when they display these attributes. Why do we always highlight when permits are issued but are not so quick to highlight locals starting their own business or heading up international businesses with bases in the BVI? We have many BVI Directors, Managers, Supervisors, Chefs, Hair dressers, Nail Technicians, Electricians, Contractors, Architects, Surveyors, Captains, Bar tenders etc. that are doing pretty good for themselves. I know there is unfairness at times and those instances should be looked into. But overall I think locals who have the right drive and attitude will make it in this country and the others will just continue to complain. That's reality but no politician has the balls to tell the people like it is, that's the problem here!
    • Inside Person (21/01/2014, 13:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @SMH The thing is the people from here don't want to work,they only work when there is a need for something important and then that's it,and they like the jobs where they can cock their feet up high and collect big money under false pretense. I'm an employer and i'm from here so i know it.
  • son of the soil (14/01/2014, 09:22) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply

    Who looking out for we buddy?

  • Hmmmm (14/01/2014, 10:13) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    If the government issue new business license it will open up opportunities for locals to get jobs also this island needs to not look @ expats as outsiders alone but people that help to build their economy as well. The people that always looking down on expats and whites they are the ones renting and shopping locally. They don't go St.Thomas and St.Maartin and Puerto Rico to do bulk shopping like local people. This island only depending on Tourism, They is so much more that you can do to build a country's Economy.
  • eat cake (14/01/2014, 10:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Amazing this man Orlando does not understand How an economy works
  • smdh (14/01/2014, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have gone to the dogs!
  • east man (14/01/2014, 10:42) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Our people are losing hope under the NDP and it almost looks as if we are getting ready to do something soon about it.
  • David (14/01/2014, 10:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then why don't they release this empirical evidence to the public? Publish this data for all to see. It appears that for far too long, both NDP and VIP confuse opinions with facts.
  • send help (14/01/2014, 10:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord Jesus, help me here today.
  • cay (14/01/2014, 11:06) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    how come local compaines get such a hard time with work permits and expats get them so fast eh?
  • Wake Up BVI! (14/01/2014, 12:18) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think we are taking this expat and local thing a bit too far. Yes locals should get the job over an expat as long as they can do/ are qualified and willing to do the job. Now while we here lashing out about expat this and work permit that ask yourself this.. I'm I qualified to do the jobs that I apply for? will I commit to the jobs that I apply for and further do I have the experience to do the jobs... Being a citizen of a country does not automatically qualify anyone for a job, not only in the BVI but everywhere in the world. Employers are looking for persons who have certain qualities, whether you are an expat or not, the most qualified will get the job. I do understand that there are instances where that unwritten rule is not followed and its a who knows who situation, however we should all be more concerned with equiping our selves with the necessary skills to make us more marketable in this dog eat dog world. Bickering about who from where will not solve the problem.
  • big bird (14/01/2014, 14:18) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need to create jobs things were much better under uncle Ralph and the vip
    • Lmao! (14/01/2014, 14:48) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Government does not create jobs. List one job Mr Oneal created apart from hiring Osborne at one point. lol
      • @ LMAO aka mvw (14/01/2014, 17:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        because the business community had conference in a VIP government the private sector invested which led to many job creation and that is a fact...as for under NDP COMPINES RAN LIKE THEY SAW WILD FIRE I CAN LIST THE OVER 13 CLOSINGS
        • trrefdrfds (15/01/2014, 07:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Well said
          • HMMM (16/01/2014, 09:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            Really!!! You understood that gibberish? Well I certainly didn't. FYI, business closings are happening worldwide. Businesses worldwide are trying to secure their future by down-sizing and even shipping business overseas for cheaper labour. We are not special here in the BVI, so the Trust companies are now doing it too. As to VIP vs. NDP, don't worry, you may get the opportunity to see that particular gravy train the VIP Express roll through Town again. God help us all when they are finished bankrupting the Government and you hangers on have nothing to eat.
  • white biyy (04/02/2014, 18:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    really simple. take away the financial services gig, and bvi is haiti quick. insular and preserving low standards of service and business operation, while trying to compete with islands and nations with 10's, or 100's the size of BVI labor pool. simple math. you don't get a lot of great people out of 28,000 population. so if you are socialist in bvi preserving jobs for local bums, but the traveling public isn't regulated and can go wherever they want, they will go to quality and service. The bvi, closest to USA, US$, rockefeller started here, incredible scenery- WE blowing the lead. look at the rest of the caribbean resort and villa biz. we are done if the gov does not throw open the gates to labor and immigration. i dare someone to show me logic otherwise. take the usa. you think we'd be tops if we only let puritans in the country and economy last 200n years? strupes strupes strupes.


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