Canadian journalist didn't have work permit – Premier Smith
He was speaking at a press conference held yesterday April 8, 2016 at the Central Administration Complex. The press conference dealt specifically with issues surrounding the recent release of the Panama Papers and the allegations levelled against the territory with regards to tax evasion and money laundering among other financial crimes.
“There is a requirement for a work permit, whether it be temporary or otherwise for anyone who comes to work in the territory,” said the Premier. “That is what the issue was about,” Premier Smith added.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Premier, Broderick Penn said a lot has been made of what he called a simple issue.
“It is really quite simple...anybody that is working in the BVI [who is not a belonger] needs a work permit to work and it is just like any other place in the world. You have to have the right permissions to be in that place. We have seen the story and it is really a simple matter of the journalist coming to the BVI. He was aware that he needed the requisite permission and work permit to work in the BVI and he came to the BVI without the permissions and so he was denied entry.”
According to Penn, there have been other international journalists who have sought and obtained the necessary permission to work in the territory. He said they sought permission to film as well in some cases. “I am aware that there are other international journalists who have come to the BVI and have sought requisite permissions to enter the BVI and they came in and did what they had to do,” he said.
Penn also confirmed there was a group of journalists from the BBC who had sought and obtained work permit waivers.
The Star reporter denied entry
Marco Chown Oved, the reporter working with The Star in Toronto, Canada alleged he was denied entry to the Virgin Islands, even though he had a scheduled interview with Governor John S. Duncan OBE.
The story was published by The Star, www.thestar.com, on Monday April 4, 2016 and, according to the reporter, he was working on a story as to whether reforms to combat tax evasion were working in the Virgin Islands.
According to Oved, once he declared to immigration authorities he was a journalist, he was detained at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport at Beef Island and put on the first plane out. He was also allegedly told he needed a work permit to carry out his stated business.
The reporter said that he did not understand why he was denied entry into the VI despite him being very open about what was his assignment in the VI and wanted to know what the territory had to hide.
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36 Responses to “Canadian journalist didn't have work permit – Premier Smith”
Did visiting dignitaries from various countries who attended last year's EU talks have work permits?
Did visitors from various countries attending last year's Caribbean Postal Union Conference have work permits?
Do yacht charter brokers from all over the world attending the BVI Boat Show (put on by the Charter Yacht Society) have work permits to enter the territory?
I could go on, but you get my point. All of these "visitors" were WORKING during their stay here but I know for a fact they are not required to get work permits!
Ironic huh...all who deh a bvi would like to migrate to canada and the usa but all who deh US want to go back home
Mosack Fonseca and the Panama paper leaks. The premier should have said to the interviewer " what proof you have that Mosack Fonseka did something Wrong, let her answer that question before he answer her questions and throw mosack Fonseca under the bus.",
Nevertheless, international news is reporting that the Panama Leak is only the tip of the Iceberg; the titanic hasn’t even hit as yet. More to come!
View link:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/how-panama-papers-are-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/articleshow/51750038.cms
This is a blatant lie and the Premier knows that. Its a matter of convenience for some and sensitivity for others.
That's the blatant lie. But the next time the media comes they'll do the same thing.