Labour Minister’s HOA statement ‘inconsistent’ – Sowande Uhuru
Wheatley made his concerns known while appearing as a guest during the 3D show which was aired on a local radio station on September 21, 2012.
Quoting excerpts of the Minister’s statement, he said “I think that I can say without fear of contradiction that the expatriate sector of the labour force has played a critical role in this Territory’s development.” Sowande continued, “However it is my duty as Minister responsible for this subject, by extension the Government of the [Virgin Islands (VI)] to ensure that there is a balance and that the rights of [VIslanders] are protected where practical.”
Wheatley said he found the statement interesting because it seemed to put equality among VIslanders and non VIslanders when the Labour code clearly says differently that VIslanders are preferred [for employment].
He suggested the statement was inconsistent with stated government policy of VIslanders preferred.
Wheatley also took particular issue with the section of the statement that alluded to the protection of the rights of VIslanders "where practical", asking the question “Where is it impractical to protect the rights of VIslanders?” We find ourselves in a bit of an interesting situation", Wheatley said.
Coming to another section of the Minister’s speech that he took umbrage to, Wheatley quoted another excerpt that read “The blanket policies of the past will not suffice in this modern economy. Therefore it is our intention to address the specific needs of each sector. There are certain positions within the financial services sector for example, that most likely will not be filled by [VIslanders] and this is simply because the requisite training and qualifications might not be available.”
Wheatley expressed that he was confused by the portion of the statement that read “might not be available”. He asked, “Is it not available to [VIslanders] or not available to anybody period?”
He questioned the reason that requisite training and qualification might not be available to allow locals to get certain jobs in the financial sector.
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12 Responses to “Labour Minister’s HOA statement ‘inconsistent’ – Sowande Uhuru ”
go lay an egg! Wa do people
Natalio, equal means with the qualifications. If you are looking for someone for a job and a local does not cut it, you hire who you have to hire. What bullshit are you talking about? People are equal. How many locals are hiring locals out there? It's expats hiring the locals. I don't think they should get to do what they want because of that but facts are facts. There will be many locals looking jobs soon let me see if Sowande, Edu en Ka, Edmund, Decastro and all the loud mouths Malcolm X wannabees can offer them employment. These ignorant backwards a$$e$ will be the reason the BVI will slip into a tailspin without return. Absolute bull$h1t! BVIslanders who work hard, educate themselves and have a positive attitude and drive to succeed make it all the time. We don't always have to be employees, we can own our companies after gaining the necessary experience. Stop this victim nonsense it's sickening. This is our country and it's up to us to put our best foot forward, not sitting back bitching and moaning about everything. grow up! The minister of labour can't force bvislanders to own these companies, educate themselves, learn more about the industries we have thriving etc.