Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Tough decisions will have to be made – Labour Minister

Dr. Pickering (right) speaking with an Anegadian resident. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN Tortola, VI – “We are in a situation where our own people are using work permits to skirt the law...and tough decisions will have to be made soon,” revealed Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. Kedrick Pickering to Anegada residents at a labour meeting on March 5, 2012 at the Emile Dunlop Community Centre.

According to the Labour Minister, if that is allowed to continue, the Virgin Islands would become lawless and persons would be under the impression that the “law is for somebody else and not for me”.

The worst case scenario, Hon. Pickering said, is that the VI could reach a stage where the rules and regulations no longer matter, and the society will fall apart.

In light of this, he hinted that tough decisions would have to be made in relation to labour issues. Virgin Islands News Online understands that the Minister has already instructed his Permanent Secretary and labour officers to begin compiling reports of all meetings that were held on Tortola and the Sister Islands.

“It would be chaos...and I don’t think anyone wants to see our little Virgin Islands get to that point,” he charged. “You won’t see me being the most popular politician in the country. Decisions have to be made, got to be made...either that or we throw our hands in the air. It’s difficult and thorny but we can’t sit back and watch things.”

16 Responses to “Tough decisions will have to be made – Labour Minister ”

  • Anegada (13/03/2012, 08:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is about time that this issue is being addressed.The practice of employers simply seeking work permits for persons ;knowing that they do not have a job vacant for them is wrong.Anegada has become overrun because of this practice of employers applying for work permits as a favour for a person,and when the work permit is issued,that individual can be seen walking around not doing anything,but being a burden on the community.
  • critic (13/03/2012, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    enough talking now man....we want action
  • Real Talk (13/03/2012, 09:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm so glad that Doc is being honest about this. It is about time!! Everybody was blaming expats for the situation but what about the locals who are profitting from selling out their own country? Sick um Doc!!!!
    • village ram (13/03/2012, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      ...TO REAL TALK; hush myron we aint talking about treatment of people working for you on work permits
      • Real Talk (13/03/2012, 12:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Ya'll ain't tired beat a dead horse? With this myron myron talk? Schuups! For the 100th time I'm not Myron, ask the moderator, he/she/it should know who I am by now! :)
  • mask man (13/03/2012, 09:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to start off by getting an effective labour commisioner
    • lawarance (13/03/2012, 17:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      well are you saying dem should bring back the lady that doc removed??? lol
  • A true leader (13/03/2012, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now that is a true leader. He is not doing things that would gain him popularity or by giving favours. Dr. Pickering is upholding principles, is sincere with his opinions and actions and for that he is a great leader. His job is a tough one, but by the grace of God I firmly believe that he will be highly successful. Press on regradless, Honourable.
  • Quiet Storm (13/03/2012, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strong and effective leaders make tough and unpopular decisions that are in the national interest. Strong leaders do the right things; weak leaders favor doing things right. Weak leaders talk the talk and fling the can down the road. Increasingly, I'm being impressed by Doc. He is adapting well to the art of governing. Oh! But so far it has only been talk. Now, he has to walk the walk to become a strong national leader.
  • fox (13/03/2012, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    all i know tis since dem move Maynard work permit ah tek too dawn long and dat has to be address before dey shut down small business
  • Not2Sure (13/03/2012, 14:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I kind of wonder who "our own people" are that he is talking about. Sounds like he has some specific people in mind.
  • stella@raplica handbags (13/03/2012, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope for the best ...resident of work permit should allow to work cause it can create the international hatred among countries... replica handbags
  • short shirt (14/03/2012, 07:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "when"?
  • Jamie (14/03/2012, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I said it before and I will say it again, "Doc is a sensible man." We need more leaders like him. He know that we locals need to be protected and the same he is not stupid to say "all island people go home." I have confident that he will made the decisions to protect the future generations of this country, and at the same try to accommodate those who come to live among us. CONTINUE WITH YOUR EXCELLENT WORK.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.