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VI’s Labour Department is asleep – Julio S. Henry

- proposes severance fund for corporations
Commentator, Julio Sam Henry, expressed that the Labour Department is asleep given the challenges that persons are facing with regard to employers and employee relationships within the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Henry recommended that the government make mandatory a severance fund for corporations based in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Henry recommended that the government make mandatory a severance fund for corporations based in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Henry also suggested that compromises are often made by the Territory's Representatives because of a wish for harmony, a good working environment and an ease of doing business within the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Henry also suggested that compromises are often made by the Territory's Representatives because of a wish for harmony, a good working environment and an ease of doing business within the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Commentator, Julio Sam Henry, is of the view that the Labour Department is currently asleep given the challenges that persons are facing with regard to employer and employee relationships within the Territory.

Henry made the comment on the ‘Speak Your Mind’ show aired on January 25, 2014 against the backdrop of a number of layoffs in the Virgin Islands which had been reported in the media over the past few months.

“A lot of these businesses came in, we said we needed growth, we talked about investment and we pretty much gave them the key to the front door without saying there still should be some restriction,” Henry said.

He added that a lot of corporations are using this umbrella over the heads of the Territory’s representatives.

Henry suggested that compromises are often made by Representatives who, because of a wish for harmony, a good working environment and an ease of doing business within the Territory, sit down and relax on many of the laws and procedures governing businesses.

According to the talk show host, this trend has been continued by the current government, but started a long time ago.

The government, he related, is currently placed in a position where they have to appease many of the overseas corporations based within the Territory. “The corporations came in and pretty much dictated the terms,” he stated.

“The Labour Department is asleep… I put in a letter in there two weeks ago… for the BVI Taxi Stand to get some help over there to get an extra worker and up to this day we can’t get a phone call,” he complained.

Henry further recommended that the government make mandatory a severance fund for corporations based in the Virgin Islands. “The government should make it a law that these companies should set up a severance fund and the severance fund should be controlled by a board of people…” he added.

This group of people, he said, should determine the severance pay for persons who are being laid off within the Territory. “It’s like a savings account that each company will set up.”

27 Responses to “VI’s Labour Department is asleep – Julio S. Henry”

  • Duhhhh (28/01/2014, 09:27) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Fast asleep!
  • apple pie (28/01/2014, 09:32) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    Dem not sleeping when coming to harassing locals companies trust me
  • Advantage of (28/01/2014, 09:38) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    A lot of people on work permit are exploited too. Once you allow someone to work in your country they should have equal protection under the labour laws.
  • pat (28/01/2014, 10:07) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    You are so correct only local business get the royal run around but expats and white businesses get work permits within two weeks all they have to do is call down town…can’t wait to see the back of the NDP
  • Urban (28/01/2014, 10:19) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Go lie down, Henry... nobody cares.
  • tasha (28/01/2014, 10:25) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ppl coming here on holiday n find worked
    • oo (28/01/2014, 11:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      work, not worked, i guess you are one of the Easter Monday school student.
    • kkk (28/01/2014, 23:50) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      well for the most part they are white and we know which government loooooves the whites
  • tasha (28/01/2014, 10:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ppl coming here on holiday n find worked
  • poor we (28/01/2014, 11:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    from last year july people paying $75 for work permit card and and the card printer not working. they are really asleep.
  • honest (28/01/2014, 11:40) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    they are a waste of time to go there and report an issue. they dont do anything...they should just close the department
  • Worse Department (28/01/2014, 12:07) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a disgrace curropt nastiness carry on their. Exploiting workers a advantage of workers and employerers. Can't get people severance pay and abusing them powers.
  • Schups (28/01/2014, 12:57) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

    Stop blaming the damn departments. It's our own locals jumping through hoops to facilitate outside people and is only when they get what they want and turn on their asses they know right from wrong. Pull the files, do the math. We need to stop the s#!t. We are our own worst enemies!

  • Look Out! (28/01/2014, 15:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Julio Henry wake up now after that knock out punch with the cruise ship dock decision. Next time don't bow out cause the Premier on a trip. It have emails and everything else so he can get the message. Now it is too late and you came up on the loosing end along with the BVI cause the member for the 4th with a crooked deal has now drown us right down there by the cruise ship dock.
  • DarkVader (28/01/2014, 17:26) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Labour need to get an investigation team who will not take bribes, especially concerning those trust companies. But no, they sit on their throne all day and stamp one work permit after the other, ignoring the fact that we have capable persons from here who can do the job..people complain, they do not listen. Instead they meet with the owners of these companies over dinner and a movie and by pass their own locals and give these expats what they want..Only God can help us now.
  • Guest (28/01/2014, 21:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's like pulling teeth trying to reach someone in that department. You could never get any answers to queries and the turn-around time is ridiculous.
  • PPE (28/01/2014, 23:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    we wnat back Maynard boss
  • time will tell (29/01/2014, 07:26) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    All who on here bitching and joining Julio could go sit down. You all quick to jump up and criticise the NDP and expect them to fix ALL - the VIP took 12 years to put in place with their blind leadership; in 4 short years. The Labour Code is what we have to deal with thanks to them and to fix it will take time. There are much bigger issues than the labour code right now. Tell Julio start a fund to encourage people to get educated so they can hold the jobs available. Tell him to get the other VIP supporters together and start the fight to stop importing the dregs from the Caribbean to look work in the BVI and see how drastic the improvement will be!!!
  • poor people cry (29/01/2014, 08:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the minimum wages like everything else with this government that gone to sleep…
  • buinessman (29/01/2014, 11:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    labour just to bias in faour of the workers
  • Hmm (29/01/2014, 16:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    They just a little dis functional and need some PR along with a clearer vision and mission

    Are they working for all or just some .. are they proactive in what they do .. which most government offices are not. THey have so much time on vacation they don't seem to know what they working for
  • DAM (29/01/2014, 20:36) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bvi person can not do the work, that the companies are offering thats y we need help fr ok m overseas,
  • yeah (29/01/2014, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Labor just need tp give the people them permit and done, as some ppl have years in the island, paying tax amd social and one and now cause of stupid ndp them just given hard time
  • Nosleeping at wheel (30/01/2014, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    You see how some of these ungrateful people want to lick us out of our country. I am calling for an adoption of the spirits of Conrad Maduro, HLStoutt, TBLettsome, QWOsborne, IGFonseca and not forgetting our friend Theodolph Faulkner. Take a page out of these person's book and see how to fix our country -- No vision, you perish and eat white "scr**ap**
  • leader (31/01/2014, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man talk to much... What you want henry a opposition job?
  • Don't worry (01/02/2014, 18:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    u all dont have to worry about expats they are leaving willing if you do your homework u will find lots of empty apartments and many more a packing willing so search your selves I want to see who all u will blame for everything going wrong in the b.v.i nice country ignorant and low mentality people
  • Don't worry (01/02/2014, 19:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks vino but no thanks for not posting my comment


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