Economy ‘bust’? Layoffs continue following Hurricane Irma
This turned out not to be the case as statistics from his own Departments showed the fall off in the Financial Services Sector and tourism arrivals were down. Many of his own Government Backbenchers also disputed the notion.
Now following Hurricane Irma and Maria, both Category 5 storms, the Virgin Islands (VI) is now feeling the effects in the area of unemployment.
Many businesses have started laying off workers with immediate effect. They include the giant law firm Harneys; premier food chain, Road Town Wholesale; the biggest marina on Tortola, Nanny Cay Hotel and Marina; Scrub Island Resort and Spa; BVI Cable TV; and Long Bay Hotel to name a few.
Some of the Trust Companies have also laid off workers as well as some small enterprises that include restaurants, auto stores and car rentals.
It’s the Hurricane stupid!
Many have blamed the direct effect of Hurricane Irma on their businesses, loss of revenue, significant damages to their physical buildings, to boats, cars, and loss of goods. Some of the staff have pulled out and left the British Overseas Territory of the VI.
It remains unclear if many public and central government departments will also follow in laying off public sector workers. Premier Smith has not addressed this matter; however, he announced the delay in payment for the end of September 2017 salaries and called for time sheets to be submitted.
The fallout from Hurricane Irma, which hit the VI on September 6, 2017 causing death, destruction and panic, has set back the Territory’s economy, as some 25% of residents, young people, students and work permit holders have fled the country.
What’s your plan Government?
The sometimes public relations savvy National Democratic Party (NDP) has been silent on its plans to address the unemployment situation, along with any recovery plan.
The Labour Department Commissioner Janice I. F. Rymer told our newsroom that her office will announce some clarification as to the difference between layoffs and termination and what employees are eligible for under Section 107 of the Labour Code dealing with severance pay.
On the bright side, one Telecommunications Company, Digicel (BVI), said it was not laying off staff but instead was hiring workers.
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39 Responses to “Economy ‘bust’? Layoffs continue following Hurricane Irma”
NDP MUST GO
Boo sh*t
Some business have lost everything and others have suffered significant lost and damage. How do you expect them to continue paying their staff if they have no business or their business has suffered great lost?
a check of the saving accounts and they will see that most of these buainesses can afford to keep their workers for 4 months. By January we will be back better than before... This situation veey unfortunate but its not a permanent one
Companies lay off workers no longer needed as their business model change... Rite Way don't need all their staff as their stores where looted by the communities they serve, now why should they move to rebuild, let you walk Pasea to get your food. When you tired of walking maybe they will think about rebuilding. Same with any business that get looted, why should they rush to open and serve a community that has let them down. Even PR didn't loot.. there has been minor but mostly food and water... shame on the BVI.. shame on the BVIslander. Police only got a handful of them and no more.. shame on us as an Island.