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Donald E. de Castro protests non-compliance with labour code

Commentator Donald E. de Castro has decried the fact that even after changes in the legislation governing the Territory’s labour laws where it highlights that only employers can apply for permits, this has not been the case. Photo: VINO/File
Speaking on the Straight Talk Show on March 5, 2014, de Castro said the application forms have never been changed to reflect the change in the labour code. Photo: VINO/File
Speaking on the Straight Talk Show on March 5, 2014, de Castro said the application forms have never been changed to reflect the change in the labour code. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Commentator Donald E. de Castro has decried the fact that even after changes in the legislation governing the Territory’s labour laws where it highlights that only employers can apply for permits, this has not been the case.

Speaking on the Straight Talk Show on March 5, 2014, he said the application forms have never been changed to reflect this and employees are still required to fill out forms that say, “I am applying for a work permit.”

de Castro said despite his protests, the Labour Department was still approving these permits.

Guest on the show, Mr Elton Georges, said he agreed that this was wrong. “I didn’t realise that and really the Act was passed in 2010 and this is 2014… it’s time to get the form up to date,” the former Deputy Governor said.

Mr Georges also pointed that persons who applied for residency in the Territory are not required to live in the Virgin Islands. “The law only says two things, you have good character and have an intention to reside permanently, to make the Territory your principal home.”

He stated that once the authorities were convinced that these criteria could be fulfilled, one could apply for a certificate of residence.

In the past, Mr Georges said persons had to possess a work permit in order to receive certificates of residence in the Territory. According to Mr Georges, within the new labour code, persons with certificates of residence do not come under the work permit section of the labour code.

8 Responses to “Donald E. de Castro protests non-compliance with labour code”

  • son of the soil (06/03/2014, 09:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This country is way too slack.
  • Schups (06/03/2014, 10:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Labor Code and NHI will be the same thing. These people don't listen and everything is about scoring political points. The Government of the day was advised that the Labor Code could NOT be put in effect because there were little or no safeguards to ensure and the issues stipulated within would be addressed and/or enforced. How can you mandate pensions for example, with no outlines for what's accepted and what's not? Does that make sense? There are many other parts of the code that cannot be imposed because even the Government departments themselves are not sure how to deal with it. The same thing will happen with NHI if they don't slow their roll. Get things done properly, measures in place, committees, oversight personnel etc. before passing Legislation because without the framework it's useless. That's what we are seeing with the code, it's new requirements with the same old stupid system in place so how can it work? We have so much people working in Government and still can't get simple things right.
  • Native Boy (06/03/2014, 13:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have heard no reprimand or rebuke regarding the trends developing lately on the labour issues.
  • grace (06/03/2014, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This all people can talk about , there much waay waaay much better thing to be concern and talking about,,these people from the other islands around this island are the easiest and most talk about and very to jump on , my God all of us ,As well as them just trying to make it thro the day,but its not them, its not us, but the systems from babylon and tricks of the devil who doesn't want to see US as human being succeed in life, so his demons are send out to tormenting God creation ,
  • DON Q (06/03/2014, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The labor code is only a tool to harass local business but not for the big expat companies getting away with murder
  • confused (07/03/2014, 07:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Labour Department is trying to manage a system that even they don't understand. The documentation is redundant and the process is much to time consuming. It certainly doesn't reflect the employers immediate need for workers consistent with the changing dinanmics of a modern business. It is very difficult to build a business in the BVIs under the current structure. Also to add to that the employer and employee have to deal with a department that either doesn't understand the code or chooses to ignore it. It is past time for the complete labour process to step into business world of today.
  • tt (09/03/2014, 20:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want back Maynard


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