‘Expats will probably have to go back home’ – Dr Pickering
He was at the time addressing a crowd of protestors that gathered at Government House following the Decision March on May 24, 2018.
He further stated that if expatriates are forced to leave the territory, there will be a negative impact on the economic pillar of financial services.
“Listen to this carefully people, if this bill is allowed to stand it means that government’s revenues are going to literally disappear. It means that we will not be able to offer government services and it means that we are likely to lose jobs. It also means that people who come here to work will probably have to go back home because we cannot afford to pay them even if we want them to work.”
He continued, “We are here to defend that pillar of our economy, the financial services because we are the ones, all those of us here whether you born here or you ain’t born here; whether you come here to live or come to visit or come to work.”
Overwhelmed by the support
Hon Pickering during his speech admitted that he was “overwhelmed” by the support from the people of the VI, while adding that this decision will affect everyone.
“This ain’t something that is going to affect VIP, NDP, rich people or poor people; it is going to affect all of us. And so, it is extremely important, that is why somebody like me is overwhelmed here this afternoon to see the support from our people standing up for what is right,” explained the Deputy Premier.
“Since 1975 we have not received a penny from the UK”
While lamenting that persons like the late Honourable Willard Wheatley and the late Honourable Cyril B. Romney worked very hard to take the territory out of “grant and aid”, he stated that the VI had not received funding from the UK government since 1975.
“Now they want to tell us how we must run our life, it is wrong, and we must tell them it is wrong. In 1984 when the double taxation treaty between ourselves and the U.S was cancelled abruptly, it was people like the late Cyril B. Romney and others of the day, who started looking for new revenue streams and that is the onset and genesis of our financial service's ladies and gentlemen.”
Mixed reactions from expats about Decision March
Meanwhile, many expatriates have expressed that they did not march because they “are not from here”, while some expressed a sense of fear of what would happen to them if they decided to march.
One expatriate told our newsroom that he march for his son who was born in the Virgin Islands because he wants his son to be able to come back home to live after he finishes his study abroad.
“I am not here to march. I am just on the side to watch what is happening,” said another expatriate from St. Vincent who wishes to remain anonymous.
A young lady expressed that she was marching because he boss encouraged her to march, adding that she has some knowledge about what is happening but admits that she does not fully understand.
“I wouldn’t mind getting some more in-depth details about the decision that was made so I can better understand,” she said.
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28 Responses to “‘Expats will probably have to go back home’ – Dr Pickering”
I know one thing, if he keep talking about independence, and if he takes us there, aint no expats sticking around for that car crash. Financial, construction, the others - all a dem gone!
Hey Doc., any new revenue streams ... start looking ...
This is quite scary but understandable as they must lookout for their own before the outsiders. I'm thinking why would government hire expats when they have locals anyway? Reason, most expats that are government hired are higher educated individuals with a particular speciality-doctors, nurses, some lawyers, teachers, civil engineers, advisors etc. Would they be downsizing on these folks? This is such a troubling and ticklish matter as a lot of these disciplines cannot be filled by just regular highschool educated joes or someone just out of the finance sector. All this talk talk talk, the government needs to act act act, brainstorm and prepare a contingency plan for just in case. They say they are refusing to comply unless these sanctions are international standards but they were given two years preparation, not two months. UK caught us blindly with this. We must now sensibly prepare in the interim.
Note: foreigners market this economy, they attract visitors like Obama and yyou get the fame from their hard dollars, so please thank then talk... Leave the Caribbean nationals alone, you will need them again in times of disaster.
We have serious delays with the use of the loan funds, backed by the UK, and it’s holding us all back. We have people wasting months in the labour and immigration process when it ought to be turned around in a week or two unless there is a glaring problem with the application. Employers wanting to bring work back here are effectively being blocked. This is revenue lost for government, landlords, shops and services. TheLabour law allows 3 year permits but somehow these are not given out - that’s three times the revenue up front...
Is the UK law constitutionally offensive? Yes, and it should be challenged by a capable team. Is that the reason we are in trouble? Not really. The messed up systems and corruption have been challenging business here for years only now it’s more serious. Our refusal to welcome work permit residents as part of the team, even when they are doing their bit coming back in difficult circumstances and putting is massive hours to serve clients and keep them in BVI and then putting time in on weekends clearing up after others who could not care less about the BVI and have no pride in their home, is holding us back. This has to change now lest we all need to apply for work permits in Cayman, Bermuda, Nevis, Jersey, Guernsey, Delaware, Hong Kong, Mauritius in the near future.