Labour Office: AC leaks, worn carpets, musty smell, too small spaces!
This is according to its 2011 Department Annual Report laid before the House of Assembly on June 29, 2012.
According the report, now a public document, the Labour Department has two locations, the Main Office is at the Ashley Ritter Building in Road Town on the main island of Tortola and the Virgin Gorda Branch located at the Vanterpool Government Complex in the Valley.
The report stated that security for the Virgin Gorda branch is in need of upgrade, while the Department is hoping to upgrade the existing electronic security system at the main office in Road Town.
Labour Department: Poor working conditions, understaffed and underbudgeted
However, the Department is facing the issues at the main office of air conditioning leaks, worn carpets, musty smell and too-small spaces. They are hoping through renovation to create a more efficient and accommodating space.
The 2011 annual report also stated that the Labour Department is understaffed and underbudgeted, which “impedes its proper function and ability to deliver the requisite service to its customers.”
Over 6000 work permits renewed & over a 1000 new ones granted in 2011
Despite a bad economy in 2011 in the Virgin Islands and the issue of training Virgin Islanders to take over jobs and giving them first preference for employment, it appears to be business as usual in the Virgin Islands private sector job market. In the 2011 Labour Department annual report, it was revealed that on Tortola, some 5,694 work permits were renewed and some 1,078 on Virgin Gorda for a total in 2011 alone of 6,772 renewal of work permits.
Despite many Virgin Islanders out of work in 2011 alone, some 986 new work permits were issued by the Labour Department on Tortola and another 143 on Virgin Gorda, for a grand total for one year alone, of 1,129 new work permits issued.
The number of new work permits issued and renewals in 2011 still does not reflect the true picture of those non-Virgin Islanders in the Labour Force. There are still a number of work permit exemptions given out each year and those working in the public sector who are not Virgin Islanders but do not need work permits. When that number is included, the foreign work force in the Virgin Islands could reach well over 7,000 migrant workers.
Last year, the Labour Department was in the spotlight when the Labour Commissioner Oleanvine Maynard was sent on extended leave from her post and to date, despite being back from leave, has not reported for duty to her Department. She has been placed to sit at an office at the Conservation and Fisheries Department and her job assignment is unknown.
The Minister for Natural Resource and Labour and Deputy Premier Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering told the public he was responsible for her removal after advising Cabinet of complaints against the Commissioner. To date, Dr. Pickering has not said publicly what the complaints are or who are the complainants.
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