How long can VI sustain influx of foreign workers?- Violet Thomas-Gaul
“People coming into this territory, how long will we be able to sustain that? We are not training our own people to take jobs or a lot of them feel like they don't want the work that’s out there, I don't know,” she said on the September 11, 2023, edition of Talking Points on ZBVI 780AM.
People coming & staying for work
“How are we going to manage that, because that in itself, all the people that's coming in and staying in for work for they're taking away a lot from the territory and especially the ones you're talking about who are not contributing to the thing but pulling out money, there's a lot of that going on I found out recently.”
Mrs Thomas-Gaul was at the time interviewing Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on the question of how such issues can be tackled locally.
“Well, we've done more than give it thought. We actually have a process and I mentioned this in a statement in the House of Assembly (HoA), where we will soon consult with the public on a new immigration, immigration policy,” Premier Wheatley responded.
He added that the issues came up in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and, even before, persons in the VI realised that immigration reform was needed and that there was a challenge between existing government policies and the law.
Time for us to take action- Premier Wheatley
Acknowledging that the Virgin Islands economy experienced rapid growth with the rise of the tourism industry in the 60s and financial services in the 80s, Dr Wheatley said it was almost impossible to be able to facilitate the expansion and development of the economy without bringing in foreign labour.
He said; however, now is the time to take action, regarding the management of the workforce.
“We could have done a better job, I believe, in managing… in a lot of ways we had unmanaged migration,” he said, which resulted in negative effects.
The Premier said the job now is to determine what are the local objectives for immigration in today's world and to recognise that the situation in 2023 is different from the situation in the 70s-90s with a change in the population makeup.
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44 Responses to “How long can VI sustain influx of foreign workers?- Violet Thomas-Gaul ”
Wow what hate! You horrible person.
I am told that when Labour rejects the work permit, the District Rep and Minister is hauled into the picture. Is this at the expense of a vote?
I know of someone who have been' taken for a ride' recently by an overseas organization. They conducted 4 interviews with the candidate and following the 4th one decided not to hire the local. Reason: We have decided not to fill the position. However, the same organization was trying to get extensions for their expat workers.
Do you see the dynamics that are playing out here? Locals in the BVI want work, are looking for work and are being sidelined. The Labour Dept hands are 'tied' in many instances and nothing can be done. So yes, we have a problem on our hands and persoanlly I don't think a labour and immigration policy will fix it. Remember, persons lifestyles depend on this. (Read between the lines)
These ppl contribute in so many ways before their lil left over monies are sent out to their families abroad.
Coming by d plane and bus load full soon
progress comes with a very high price especially if it not regulated
In The Virgin Islands the legal working age is 15. In some parts of the world it is normal and even encouraged that teenagers get part time jobs as soon as they can legally work. However, in the VI we do not do this. We don’t expect our kids to work until they are 18 or have completed high school. Perhaps we should encourage parents, students and even business owners to promote a youth work culture. Having teenagers work and earn money of their own is a great way to teach them business etiquette skills and money management. The work experience gained can boost their resume for when they are ready to fully enter the work force or boost their college application for when they are ready to pursue tertiary education.
To deal with the economic pressures of living here, many foreigners turn to aid programs to survive. I think we need to keep better record of who accesses our social services. I personally firmly believe that no one should ever be on welfare in a foreign nation. In my opinion, if you are on any kind of visa or permit and you are accessing FSN or any of our social welfare programs then you shouldn’t be here. Those services should be for citizens and permanent residents. Like it or not, the idea of a foreign worker anywhere in the world is that they are adding to the country they are in. If you aren’t doing that but instead making your host country take care of you or your family then yes you are a burden and should be sent back home.
It has always been my belief that government has no business approving work visas for certain fields of work as they should be done by the youths for the reason stated above. The government needs to do a better job of not just vetting foreign workers but local employers as well. Many people are lured here under false pretenses. They aren’t being paid what they were promised and in some cases they aren’t working where they are listed. Employers and sponsors are luring people to work in place A and putting the in place B and holding their work permits for ransom. We need to stop the fraud and the abuse. Local employers/sponsors abusing foreign workers force foreign workers to access our aid programs. That in turn put pressure on the government and tax players as well as contribute to negative sentiments held by foreigners towards our territory. Also we all know full well that some people have visas to do illicit services and they get those visas by providing illicit services. That needs to stop as well.
We also need to ensure people leave the territory when their visa/permits are up. Perhaps we might even enforce the idea of candidates waiting outside the territory while in the process of reapplying for these documents.
In summary, we need to promote a youth work culture. We need to ensure people who come to work in our territory can survive and sustain themselves. We need to be more vigilant of fraud and abuse and punish those who engage in it. We need to weed out foreign workers who fail to thrive. And the government needs to stop being so complacent in the corruption that contribute to our labour problems.
Drugs to sell who wants to do things they find a way to get it done some they play soccer track and field basketball swimming volleyball you name it generation change so what you going do to try change thier minds
What is does have though is an infestation of ignorance, emotion and cultural influences impacting policy and legislative concerns.
By the lady's own admission she only recently peeked from beneath her rock to realize a certain perspective.
Might have that perspective been better influenced by standing upright and paying attention a might longer? Some data? Statistics?
Where are the social scientists in this country?Statistical department? does everyone loathe the impirical?
How many companies in the BVI-by categories?
Next , how many are local vs expat owned?
Is there an imbalance or trend ?
If there are more locally owned businesses are they in fact abusing the labour code? Favoring expats? Disenfranchising locals?
Show me an unemployed barber or mechanic.
Show me an unemployed sex worker.
Do expats hire themselves?
Are expats falsely appealing to labor department or bullying locals to hire them?
Who runs this country-expats? Or is it the same locals who legislate against gambling while greeting the illegal merchants as they peddle their wares and visit their establishments?
Who runs this county-expats?
Or is it the same locals who outlaw prostitution but cannot stop its proliferation behind the fire station and other established dens?
The duplicity is mind-boggling. All-yo weak
Do you suppose that expat managers read newspapers or otherwise experience this unbalanced perspective and will then embrace the expat worker coming for an interview? We are perpetuating the divide.
Pray tell WTF an expat who is barely appreciated here, desired to soonest depart- after observing the laws and respecting his time here- supposed to do with his money at month end except to send it to his family who we do not want to follow him here ?Where and why should he invest it here ? Do we not expressly want him to soonest exit as per the imminent immigration and labor changes and limitations?
The Immovable Object in SCB continues to defy the Unstoppable Force. 150 expat nurses to less than 10 locals ? Is he accusing the very government and statutory bosses of colluding with expats and snubbing locals? Where are the unemployed local nurses ? One cannot at once at once appreciate the opportunity to fill one's cup while at the same time curse the vacant space therein.
Wake up BVI. The loud few are not a full representation of this country's fabric and potential-nor will the best meaning/minded ever gravitate toward elective politics. Oh for shame.
I could go on....