Gov’t reportedly sued over non-functioning Labour Arbitration Tribunal
One lawyer speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), on condition of anonymity, said a number of persons brought lawsuits against the Government over the matter as it has violated their rights to seek justice.
The lawyer familiar with the matter described the situation as ‘untenable’ given persons cannot take matters before the tribunal. The attorney added that the matter is like having a court without a judge, where persons cannot get a hearing.
No hearings since July 2022
The lawyer further pointed out that the last time there was a hearing at the tribunal was since July 2022 and that reportedly was for matters relating to case management. "Can you imagine the amount of cases that are currently stuck?" they questioned.
VINO on March 16, 2023, reported that a vacancy notice for a Chairperson of the Tribunal was posted by the Ministry for Natural Resources and Labour on March 14, 2023, on the website of Government Information Service (GIS) which indicated that the post was still vacant.
Former Chairman and attorney Jamal S. Smith, appearing on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on November 7, 2022, confirmed that since July 31, 2022, there have been no matters put before the tribunal, given the absence of a Chairman.
Mr Smith, who was first appointed chairperson of the tribunal on August 1, 2020, for a period of two years, lamented that the absence of a chairman has left persons with matters in a hostage situation for the last several months given his tenure ended in July of 2022.
Subject Minister, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) on December 2, 2022, had said that a new Chairman would be in place by January 2023; however, those plans have not materialised.
Efforts to get a comment from Hon Turnbull were futile up to the time of publication.
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25 Responses to “Gov’t reportedly sued over non-functioning Labour Arbitration Tribunal”
Bet you is W**** people suing the Government, B**** peoples don’t read and don’t make time to know these laws. They are too busy working 2-3 jobs to make ends meet, cause they work the minimum wage
What has this young man done since he was entrusted with the ministry of Labour and Natural Resources? Except for firing the commissioner with no just cause, what else has he done. Given the fact that the then chairman tenure would expire in July, that Mitch could not have hired a replacement or even extend the contract of the chairman, which accordingly was doing a great superb job for his 2 years, his contract could not be extended for at least one year or even 6 months until a replacement was contracted? Is this the person we want to represent us and even want to be premier? Mr. Mitch, how many work permits have you approved? Can you hear the cry of the people? Where is your priority.
Pelting all these stones at your Neighbour's glass door and yet yours are so cracked by your own doing. Folks, it is that time, now the right time to make a Switch and Ditch the Mitch. Come April 24, Mitch you will be ditched, because we are making the switch. No begging and crying this time. You had your chance and did nothing worth giving you an other chance. Thats it, we switching, and ditching the Mitch.
You had your chance to shine and you did nothing to prove yourself capable. Much talk with no action. Yes folks, we are making the switch and ditching the Mitch.
VIP all the way!!! Bam, Bam, Bam
As much as we want to make the switch and ditch mitch, ain't no way in hell we voting for Marietta Flax-Headley. .. it is best we leave district 2 without an representative.
We cannot wait, but as someone already said, this is time to make the Switch and Ditch this Mitch. No more time to wait nor waist. Come on loyal people. Let us make the Switch and Ditch this Mitch.
This government plants employees in positions where they have them control the issuance of work permits (at labour) and who 'duck' applications for belongership and residnecy. his place is who you know and how much you can pay these people.