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Locals still snubbed for jobs after understudying expats - SFC Report

-concerns raised over Labour Department issuing work permits for the same jobs
Persons fill out registration forms for the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days employment initiative at Central Administration Complex on Wickham’s Cay 1, Tortola, on August 21, 2019. Concern has been expressed that Virgin Islanders are still not getting hired after understudying expats at local companies, even as legislation mandates the protection of locals employed in the Virgin Islands (VI) under that arrangement. Photo: VINO/File
Junior Minister and female legislator in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) has now been entrusted with the portfolio of trade and economic development. Photo: VINO/File
Junior Minister and female legislator in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) has now been entrusted with the portfolio of trade and economic development. Photo: VINO/File
In 2019, at the July 16, Fifth Sitting of the First Session of The Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) it was revealed by the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) that the work permit processing will go digital by the end of August of that year. Photo: VINO/File
In 2019, at the July 16, Fifth Sitting of the First Session of The Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) it was revealed by the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) that the work permit processing will go digital by the end of August of that year. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Virgin Islanders are still not getting hired after understudying expats at local companies, even as legislation mandates the protection of locals employed in the Virgin Islands (VI) under that arrangement.

The issue was highlighted for the second time in the report of the 2020 deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC), held between November 20 and 29, 2019 at the Office of the House of Assembly in Road Town, Tortola.

Companies snubbing locals 

According to the report, the then Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development and Territorial Member, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), "expressed her concerns about Virgin Islanders understudying expatriates but the companies keep getting two and three work permits for individuals from overseas for the same job the locals were understudying for."

Hon Flax-Charles further inquired if there were any laws in the Labour Code that protect locals in this matter.

According to the Labour Commissioner, Ms Janice I. F. Rymer, currently in the VI there are provisions in the Labour Code that protect Virgin Islanders, "the Section that speaks about understudying where locals are paired with expatriates who are on work permits for a particular period."

The Labour Commissioner said in two instances, the work arrangement happened and it worked out through development planning.

Digital Work Permits

In 2019, at the July 16, Fifth Sitting of the First Session of The Fourth House of Assembly (HoA), it was revealed by the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) that the work permit processing will go digital by the end of August of that year.

According to Hon Wheatley, by late August 2019, the business community would be able to submit work permit applications, make payments and receive updates and notifications of the status of their work permits online.

“This, Mr Speaker, is a step in the right direction for the Department of Immigration and the Department of Labour and Workforce Development.”

Hon Wheatley said the new system would be able to flag any applications that a Virgin Islander has skills for, as such that work permit would not be issued; however, it appears that system has not been effective and preventing locals from getting snubbed for jobs, an issue that is not new.

Tackling the issue 

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to Honourable Wheatley for more information regarding what direct approaches his Ministry will employ to tackle the issue; however, he promised to provide more information at a later date. 

In 2019, the Minister said the new digital process was just in the testing phase; however, it saw the participation of 32 businesses that were required to upload new work permit applications and accompanying documentation including passport pages, medical and police records to the system.

30 Responses to “Locals still snubbed for jobs after understudying expats - SFC Report”

  • oh boy (15/01/2020, 09:06) Like (11) Dislike (24) Reply
    It will be worst now since the vip gave out 100's of belonger status
    • Just saying (15/01/2020, 11:27) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
      Worse, not worst. Which is to suggest that, in some businesses, imperfect English is a barrier that may affect many locals.
  • Outrage Parent (15/01/2020, 09:21) Like (20) Dislike (21) Reply

    Same day new sh*t. Months now my son applying to companies for jobs and don't tell me about requirement, because the requirement they asking he has. its a shame. That's why the young men have to resort to selling drugs. crazy BVI

    • Yes but (15/01/2020, 10:21) Like (28) Dislike (8) Reply
      People can have degrees but not other attributes that make them the perfect candidate for a job, that's life, suck it up. Nobody owes you anything and keep giving businesses hard time to hire who they want and they will just eventually downsize or close up shop, then who suffers? Train the people and be real with them about how the world works. We keep telling people once they're from here and got a degree someone OWES them a job and then we wonder what the issue is? The poster above nailed it by outlining the 10 things they look for when hiring.
    • Really (15/01/2020, 10:28) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's the best excuse you can come up with as to why they're selling drugs? Lol what a great parent you must be lol
    • soo (15/01/2020, 20:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are a very ignorant Parent.
    • Look Chubble (17/01/2020, 11:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pumkin WAITIN FOR ALL BAD MAN
  • Hmmm. My 10 look for. (15/01/2020, 09:25) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
    Good Attitude is #1 qualifier for a Job. #2 Good personality.. #3 Availability.. #4 Qualification.. #5 Experience. . #6 Appearance...#7 Willingness to learn..# 8 Respect for Authority... #9 Good temperament.. #10 Good health... The work place must always be a professional and well discipline place that strive for excellence daily.
    • VIslander (15/01/2020, 10:12) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
      Qualification, Experience should be most important. That's what's wrong here. You want to like the person more than have the best person. That's why many leave and are successful elsewhere and the bvi doesn't get the benefit of their talents. The likable person is usually unqualified and a news carrier so they will always get the job b/c the expert will have to tell you the truth from time to time
      • Another VIslander (17/01/2020, 05:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        I respectfully disagree. Qualifications and experience are important, but they're not the most important. You have to consider how an individual will fit into a team or into an office. If that person has bad qualities like what the top 10 lists, they will negatively affect the entire team. Efficiency goes down, people start to not want to come to work, the entire dynamic changes when the wrong person is hire.
  • Youngin (15/01/2020, 09:48) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    The Labour Department is not for local employees
    • Jane (15/01/2020, 14:25) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
      the Labor Department is most definitely NOT for foreigners.
      • Hmm (16/01/2020, 18:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Labour dept is for foreigners does local go there for anything except to drop off a new work permit for a foreigner. :)
  • Crap (15/01/2020, 10:08) Like (42) Dislike (6) Reply
    Being a local is NOT a qualifier for a job! Businesses are in business to make money, not to make friends. If a BVIslander ticks all the boxes that are needed to fill the position they SHOULD BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE!!!! But simply being local does not mean you will get the job over an expat, that's not how real life works. When will we wake up in the Territory? No job or opportunity is owed to anybody, we have to work for it. All companies have the right to set criteria for the type of employees they want representing their companies. Again if a local ticks all the right boxes then they should get first preference but they shouldn't just get a job because they're local.
  • “Understudy”? (15/01/2020, 11:03) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Never heard this term in the work place setting before. If a person is qualified enough to be hired to perform a particular job, why would that person need to “understudy”?

    Is this term being used in the place of “orientation” to a job?
    • @UNderstudy (15/01/2020, 11:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's just pure unrealistic rubbish that they feed to the populace to keep getting votes every election. There are very few positions where understudying works and it's usually set up properly from the beginning where the person coming knows their role and that they're only holding the post/providing training for a specified period. If you look at how the FSC was set up, they used this method and it has worked well for them. Private businesses operating will not spend top dollar on expertise just to 'train' people, it's ludicrous.
  • Disinterested (15/01/2020, 12:08) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    Having laws on the books are useless if they are not implemented or just selectively implemented. Companies flout the law because they know that government is a paper tiger and lacks the stone to enforce the law. Other regional countries have the local understudy process and it works. It works because these countries have the stones to make it happened. Government fear and lack of courage to enforce the law showing it as weakling and make one hang one’s head in shame and puke. Bunch of cowards. Every country look out for its people save the BVI. Often times self hatred pollutes the process.
    • Education (15/01/2020, 12:37) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      The way a country looks out for it’s people is to provide quality education for all it’s children. Preparation starts with education.
      Forget racetracks. Invest in schools and teachers and young people!
    • No (15/01/2020, 19:34) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      It works because those countries have SYSTEMS to make it work. We dont give a fuck about our youth and education but expect private businesses to just deal with it because theyre local. The locals that are qualified with the right work ethic are out there busting their asses not on here complaining.
    • Exodus (16/01/2020, 12:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This reminds me of the Bible story of the Israelite's in Egypt. During the lifetime of Joseph all was well, as a matter of fact that foreigner spent his life securing the interest of the Egyptians and as soon as he was dead they turn on his people. Why, they were getting to much and taking up too much of Egypt's resources. Resources that they themselves invested in some of which they brought in when Jacob moved there. How quickly we all forget. We are all one. "worm food" if we can co-exist why not do it in love and peace. If not well, expats "let those with ears hear". Our child might be ashamed of us for behaving this way. List Virgin Islanders If they don't have work for you create work apply for the Trade Licence and force their hands. Network and become your own boss in this here territory.
  • ... (15/01/2020, 12:22) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    Lot of local haters in tis country Locals are all qualified and never given the night and day!!
  • True (15/01/2020, 12:44) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    I turned away 3 applicants due to a local wanting the job, he came in and lasted 10 days before he threatened staff with a knife and tried to attack a member with a stool.

    So this the fool?
    • dude (15/01/2020, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
      you clearly chose the wrong, sounds like you need to do better at your job
    • Me (15/01/2020, 20:11) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Wow!! That's sad. He was given a chance and blew it. Hope others take heed and dont do the same thing. Which employer would want to hire locals with that attitude?
    • @True (16/01/2020, 06:11) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      @True, how do we know your tory is not made up? Why did this supposed local out of the blue pull a knife and stool on coworkers? Did you call the popo? Seems like some self serving nonsense. Are there some locals that feel entitled? Yes. But so are Antiguans, Britons, Phillipinos, Guyanese, Jsmaicans.......etc.
  • bvi (15/01/2020, 13:36) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    we want back conrad maduro over the ministry of labour


  • confused (16/01/2020, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, about the Request for Proposal for a Human Resources Audit advertised one this website that mentions the Tourist Board on the one hand, and 'the Bank' on the other, I truly hope that it is not a local that prepared and sanctioned it (without properly editing it).

    Cut and paste? Addles my head.
  • Hmm (16/01/2020, 18:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Within a year i saw one local changed 3 decent jobs and went to # 4. Some of them have decent jobs and still they are not happy with it.


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