Quiet reopening of money transfer services in VI
When Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) visited two locations early afternoon, business appeared to be moderate in contrast to the huge crowds persons were anticipating two weeks ago when Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced that those categories of businesses would not open until the internal economy reboots.
When our roving reporter visited Moneygram in Road Town around 2:30 pm, a few persons were inside the building and there was no line of persons outside.
At Western Union in the Betteto Frett Building, around 2:45pm, one customer could be seen conducting business.
The two money transfer services also confirmed that the 7% fee for Government was being charged.
A young woman who sent money to the Dominican Republic via Western Union showed our reporter that $42 was charged as 7% fee for Government for her $600 sent out.
"That's a day's pay for me," she remarked, adding that it is time employers raise salaries.
'Everything raise, Western Union raise their fee too, all the stores up their price," she added, as she complained that she had paid a total of $73.50 to send $600 to her family back home.
Other persons have argued that they see no issue with the 7% fee for Government, since, according to them, even expats will benefit from the services the monies will pay for.
Outside of the opening of money transfer services and several other categories of businesses in Phase 2 of the internal economic reboot, entertainment facilities have been told to remain closed pending development of social distancing policies.
No green light for Nightclubs & Bars
According to Curfew Act, 2017 (No. 20 of 2017), imposition of a Curfew (No. 16) Order, 2020, Gazetted on May 9, 2020, Hotels, villas or other accommodation facilities, public swimming pools, cinemas; gyms; bars; night clubs; and, other entertainment facilities remain closed.
The act noted that every other approved business or establishment must adhere to social distancing protocols and put in place relevant sanitisation measures.
The act noted that the measures must ensure that all customers and staff maintain physical distancing of no less than six feet, as provided under the Public Health COVID- 19 Control and Suppression Measures.
It also urged business owners to ensure that allowance is made for staff and employees to report to and leave work within the imposed curfew hours of 7:00 pm - 6:00 am daily.
32 Responses to “Quiet reopening of money transfer services in VI”
Instead why not raise the income tax from 0% to 7%:
If earnings of 5000 people at $20000 x 7% = $7 million
If earnings of 2000 earning over $50000 = $7 million
If earnings of 1000 people x $100,000 = $7 million
If earnings of 500 people x $200,000 = $7 million
Just a suggestion folks!
I find it very hard to wrap my head around the hate I have seen spewing on these news sites in recent weeks from locals and foreigners alike. If we are supposedly building a better place for our children and grandchildren, then we really have to do better at creating a climate where we can live and work together respectfully and productively.
We are too small to be at each others' throats all the time, and to be wondering if the persons smiling with us (both belongers and expats) are among those hiding behind pen names and calling us down as "less than".
very good
Government should force expats to have a local bank account and be paid via banks to keep track of money. Several places such as bars are closed. Those are majority expat places yet still MoneyGram and western union always full. How are expats still sending out so much money if their job hasn't open back up yet? Are they paying their rent? Are they buying food? Are they paying their internet bill so their kids can learn?
Government is taking this immigration thing as a joke.
1. Make expats use bank accounts so that you know they are making the money they say they are and they are earning it legit.
2. Issue exist visas so expats can't just flee the country leaving their debts behind.
3. Put out expats who are milking the system. You shouldn't be wanting in another man's country. If you can't feed yourself or pay your rent then why are you here? You shouldn't make yourself a burden to a country to which you do not belong. If you can't sustain yourselves then you should be in your home country. That's the only country that is obligated to take you in. As it is the place is a damn welfare state and it needs to stop.
4. Encourage teachers to report child abuse, which includes kids constantly begging for food or money. A lot of expats send away a great portion of their paychecks then send their kids to school hungry to beg others kids. That's wrong and we need to monitor that.
5. Prioritize national pride. The expat population is almost 50% as a result a lot of expats feel like they don't have to respect BVI culture or laws. They feel like they don't need to know them. The media isn't helping with all this us VS them rhetoric. There is too much animosity towards one another.
Expats need to understand that they are guests in this country and when you're in your friend's house you follow your friends rules. I don't think a lot of expats really care about the bvi while staying here and their population is too big to let this continue. We're pretty close to social disorder because of this and it will only get worse if we don't watch ourselves.
These are the same people who are crying that the school need lunch programs. Perhaps we need social programs but we need to ensure they will help people, not cover abuse and enable nonsense.
Why do we have people coming here to take jobs that can't provide a decent living income? And then on top of that they bring their dependants. It's foolish to let non-citizens come and milk the country when the whole purpose of letting them in is to help the country.
How nobody could tell the government how to spend our own money they draw out in tax
Mismanagement funds!
We pay rent,water ,electricity, food ,internet, cooking /petrol gas medical even when we have a stupid health card issue by government. We support restaurants .we throw thites and offerings
What more build you all want us to bill
All this is done whilst majority on minimum wages !
Father we stretch our hands to thee no other friends I know!