Exploitation of expatriates exists on ‘small scale’ in VI- Talk show host
Smith was addressing the topic: The importation of migrant labour in the territory while on his radio programme on Thursday November 24, 2016.
“Because we have persons coming and staying it creates a certain amount of wealth for the country,” he said.
He said, however, the debate is a “chicken or the egg” situation.
“Is it that the country is growing economically? Are we are selling more tourism and financial services so our economy is growing therefore more businesses are needed to supply the demand and for various other types of services? And by development of business opportunities from the growth and the sale of our industry we need workers labour to fill those positions because BV Islanders may not be qualified for those positions, and we may not have enough BV Islanders to work in those positions? And so we need those persons to stay particularly in certain companies that require a certain level of continuity of employment?”
Smith continued, “In that case we are able as Virgin Islanders with land to go to the bank with money to build an apartment building, or open up a restaurant or a business. In so doing the influx of persons because of our economic growth and development is also a benefit to us.”
Exploitation of expatriates ‘exists on small scale’
On the same programme, which was repeated, co-host John Samuel argued that there is a need to revisit the Labour and Immigration policies of the Virgin Islands since he believes some expat labour is not necessary.
Meantime, Samuel admitted that exploitation of expatriates exists albeit on a small scale.
“I honestly don’t believe that we have significant amounts of cases in the BVI where we are exploiting expatriate labour. I don’t think that is the majority of the case,” he said.
On the other hand, Smith pointed out that, “Every time we are having this discussion and someone calls that is the first thing they say.”
The debate continues.
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