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Non nationals staying in VI between jobs are disrespectful, says resident

One resident complained that non national are allowed to stay in the VI while their permits are being processed. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Non-nationals who switch from job to job without leaving the Territory for a period of time, as stipulated by law, are being disrespectful and are enabled by the weak policies of Immigration and Labour Department.

This is according to one resident at a Labour meeting held last evening February 27, 2012, who is fed up with how individuals use the weak system as a pawn in elevating themselves without any consequences.

“Does a non-national have the right to find another job as if being a resident and not follow the rules, and the question is do we have rules….it appears to me that we don’t have rules. A person can just get up from his or her job, and if they don’t like the job and they go seek another one…..just slide across the floor. I don’t think when you are a non-national you have that right in any country and that should not happen in the VI,” the resident said.

He added, “People could do what they want. The only people that can’t do what they want is a guy like me who is born here. I am the only man who can get muscled by my Minister who told me to do the right thing and when to do it. And everybody else can’t follow the principle. A lot of us suffer because some of these folks, unfortunately are very disrespectful, and we are helping them to be more disrespectful because we don’t have a clear cut policy or principle. Let’s be real it’s a real scenario, a real situation. It ain’t right,” he charged.

Prior to this, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. Kedrick Pickering at the meeting had stated that his Ministry was examining the new Labour Code and pointed to the fact that under the International Labour Organization (ILO) code there were certain guidelines that had to be followed. One being that no employee must be subject to inhumane conditions.

"There are certain conditions under which an employee may be able to leave your employment without a penalty...We were advised that we couldn't have a law that enslaves the people. The issue is, if there are circumstances where a person was deemed to have been inhumanely treated and was given a right to leave that employment, immigration gives them time to stay in the country to seek additional employment,” he explained.

18 Responses to “Non nationals staying in VI between jobs are disrespectful, says resident”

  • Not a 100% (28/02/2012, 14:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This person is so right rules are only for people who are from here. "They" the people in authority police and government officials can only find the locals to inforce rules on. Everybody else comes from foreign and do exactly as they like and not a word is uttered from the people in power. The people who aint from here could drink and carry on in the road all hours of the night till morning and nothing is said and persons from here with a little tint on a scooter or motorbike make a lil noise they run um off the road and treat like dirt under their feet and call that inforcement. God save the Queen.
    • ME TOO (28/02/2012, 15:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I say the same thing all the time. Rules are strict when it comes to BVIslanders and belongers everyone else get a free ride. I am sick and tired of our elected officials weak approach when it comes to enforcing laws for persons on work permits. Lord help us in our own country.
      • oh Pleeeeze (29/02/2012, 06:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Stop crying like little girls and get real. There are rules for everyone, the difference is that for expats they pay their rent, never get back their deposit, are treated as though they are pieces of dirt etc. etc.if the rules are on anyones side its certainly not the expats.
  • weed (28/02/2012, 14:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    but deeds people on work permit got a joy ride in the bvi compared to barbados, Turks, and Bahamas
    • ? (28/02/2012, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @weed..you need to check that word deeds think this is the second time (these People)
      • cane garden bay (28/02/2012, 19:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        all of you people need to relax..that is how people in general writes on the blogs..its like a text...now get back to the work permit issue..lol
      • billy b (28/02/2012, 20:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        second??????????? more like every time!!!!!!!!! i think he tight tongue and spell how he speaks
        • LABOUR (29/02/2012, 02:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          billy b you again..taught you had caught the flight back home...oooppps NDP renewd your work permit!
  • confusion (28/02/2012, 15:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pickering just ah chat
  • fat hen (28/02/2012, 16:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just the same old thing send all of them home from being a frige to we
  • Simple Simon (28/02/2012, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fact that you were born here suggests that you should be one of the big landlords cashing in on the influx of outsiders who come here to work, pay top dollars for rent every month and pay taxes to build your country. If you were one of those landlords you would not be talking that trash. Now is your opportunity to make some money while the BVI is still able to attract workers from outside. Stop complaining and do something to keep the country moving!
    • billy b (28/02/2012, 20:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i sick of ayo landlord/tenant crap. Ayo going on like only expats duz rent, struppppes
  • big bird (28/02/2012, 20:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another serious matter that needs to be address with these work permit holders is where expats are leaving their employers and taking over jobs from their employers and getting work permits and trade licenses to do just that.
  • Village Girl (29/02/2012, 03:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The funny thing about this debate is that BV Islanders have the same issues as expats or work permits holders they feels very unwelcome and resented for being a local!!!!!.
  • persia (29/02/2012, 13:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    boss some ah deeds expatiates come to me country wid ah agenda. Dem is told by others what to do when dem come to we place.....dem have no respect for we dey locals....
  • belonger (29/02/2012, 16:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have work with 2 locals and three non belongers all my tax and social security was paid up to date by the NON BELONGERS and the LOCALS HAVE PAID NON OF MY TAX AND SOCIAL SECURITY FOR OVER FIVE YEARS I have friends who went back home cause they working for $4.00 an hour cant get no vacation pay or over time even sick pay from locals soon time de all gone leave who gone clean the sh$$$t


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