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

Expats in medical field get more “perks” than locals – Bishop Cline

Bishop Cline speaking with members of the media at the Peebles Hospital Training Room on June 14, 2012. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The disparity between with the perks that professionals, who are hired from overseas, and Virgin Islanders in the medical field receive is the main gripe among the locals revealed Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John Cline at a press conference held on June 14, 2012.

He was at the time responding to a question from a journalist on the complaint the BVIHSA gets the most from medical professionals.

“Sometimes there seems to be a disparity between the people that we bring from overseas verses the locals...but that is through our Government, if you bring a lawyer from overseas they are given all kinds of niceties, housing allowance, sometimes transport, all kinds of stuff and if a doctor comes home from college from medical school and they live here they don’t have that same incentive. And we seek to make that a bit more equitable,” the Chairman disclosed.

Virgin Islands News Online understands that a highly qualified expatriate, who is hired by Government, usually receives a generous package that includes, housing, transportation, entertainment and in some cases a driver.

13 Responses to “Expats in medical field get more “perks” than locals – Bishop Cline”

  • Gucci Goddess (18/06/2012, 08:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have worked in HR and Expats do get a better deal/perks than locals coming into the service. If they hiring someone to come to the BVI they pay part or all of their rent while someone who is from the BVI and coming home don't get that benefit and often have to live with their parents until they can catch themselves and get a place of their own. (Not all BVIslanders want to live at home with their parents) Government should not pay the rent for Expats coming to work here if locals coming home are also expected to live off of the same or lesser salary. Or both Expat and Locals should have their rent paid for by Government for their first year then after that they both should be on their own.
    • MS WISE (18/06/2012, 20:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I AM AN EXPAT, I DONT AGREE WITH GOVT PAYING FOR RENT, CAR, TELEPHONE ETC. THATS MADNESS . HELP THEM OUT FOR 2MONTHS THEN LET THEY CATCH THEMSELVES. THATS TOO MUCH STRAIN ON THE GOVT.
  • hm (18/06/2012, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is appearing to be the usual story around even in the private sector and in other industries. I agree with the other poster. We are coming home from college forced to live with our parents again because of the less than desirable salaries. Locals need to pay rent and mortgages too.
  • Confucius (18/06/2012, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hold up! If the government is offering perks to outsiders and not to locals WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS, that is absolutely wrong. If a outside doctor fresh out of medical school is offered paid accommodations, that is 100% WRONG! If on the other hand, you are talking about hiring an outside specialist with 20 years experience versus a local MD fresh out of medical school, then there is a BIG difference and perks offered should not (in any way) be considered equal. Age and experience amount to greater pay and better perks. That's just the way it is all over the world. But if all things are equal (education and experience), then it should be equal all around!
  • Far from the Ballpark (18/06/2012, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a fact of life. Professions that are in demand receive the perks. Hospitals globally are fighting for the best doctors, nurses, surgeons. How do you think they win them to work at their hospital? Perks!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention that if you are being asked to come to a new country they should be paying for your housing, transportation etc. You are the one in demand. Consider also that the BVIHSA severely underpays their medical professionals. Not many doctors or nurses would be willing to move here. A nurse earns in the vicinity of $80,000 and a doctor $270,000 in the USA and Canada. Here turn those figures into $27,000 and $85,000. Cost of living is atrocious in the BVI. Food, housing, electricity, gas are all double what many would be paying in their home country. So if the BVI is in serious need of medical personnel then they have no choice by being competitive and offering perks. Furthermore, how much is the government paying Bishop Cline to provide expertise in areas he has no formal education or experience in?? How does that differ? When the people do not cast votes for certain individuals but then find these persons in roles earning $75-$100k a year doing things outside of their knowledge base then we feel mighty upset. I'd much rather have qualified and excellent doctors and nurses treating me at the hospital than pay these contracts that are all for show. Better yet, I'd rather pay 2 or 3 college graduates in the respective field, an entrance salary to do the same job they are paying these "contract politicians" to do. Put your money where your mouth is!!!
    • True (18/06/2012, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I can answer the part about how much Bishop Cline gets, it was in all the media when he was appointed if you bothered reading. $0.00
  • Jag (18/06/2012, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am so vex with this how come this is happening. They always saying bvi landers first and this is how we are treated when we come back home out of college with thing from the government! This is so wrong I am so annoyed.
  • yellow (18/06/2012, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What else is new expats always get more than locals...tell me something new VINO
  • Blossom (18/06/2012, 16:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That has always been the case. Need they to do the same for the overseas employees.
  • Blossom (18/06/2012, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That has always been the case. Need to do the same for the overseas employees.
  • vex (18/06/2012, 23:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    but i keep asking why is anyone surprised that BVI locals are at the bottom????
  • Trust Me (19/06/2012, 22:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And guess what when there leaving oh boy, they can build a house buy a car where ever they go .TRUST ME they wouldnt need a loan


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.