Some expats in VI for '5 or 10 years with no record of earnings'– Hon Wheatley
The explanation came after questioning from senior legislator and Member for the Third District, Hon Julian Fraser (RA) at the August 16, 2021, Eleventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly.
Flawed system being regularised - Hon Wheatley
According to Hon Wheatley, employees must now submit a Good Standing Certificates for work permit renewals, after it has come to the fore that many persons who receive work permits in the VI are not actually working at the company listed on their permits.
“Companies and persons do what is inspected, not what is expected. We expect all companies to be in compliance and in good standing all the time. But what we have found over the years is that companies because it wasn’t being inspected, now this forces the companies to do it,” Hon Wheatley said.
He said if a good standing certificates are not available, employees can also submit payment plans that will bring their employees up to date with the relevant agencies as a workaround to the system.
Crackdown on 'off the grid' work
However, Hon Wheatley said with flaws having been identified in the system, the new policy will only help to regularise the work permit system in the VI and has already had major success in achieving its mandate.
Hon Wheatley said persons have been working ‘off the grid’ where they cannot even be located at their job site when checks are made following the issuance of work permits, as such the system will only ensure that persons are doing legitimate work, for a legitimate business.
He said for new employees, the system is not required as persons would be applying for the first time.
“Persons have been here for five or 10 years with no record of any earnings, absolutely none… But the employer is here now trying to renew your permit. Those are things we are trying to avoid,” he said.
No more illegal working! - Hon Wheatley
In cases, according to Hon Wheatley, persons have been issued work permits for some strange titles, and when it is time for inspection at the company, no one is actually doing the job.
“But the persons [employee] are trying to get 5, 6, 20 permits for these persons and no real work… Mr Speaker, it’s a problem in this country that we are trying to fix,” Hon Wheatley said regarding a crackdown on illegal working.
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23 Responses to “Some expats in VI for '5 or 10 years with no record of earnings'– Hon Wheatley”
The Bible clearly tells us that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. That been said shows that witchcraft works among us is the norm. You may ask, what is the strongest definition of the word witchcraft? The answer is very simple one. Witchcraft is the practice of all evil actions and inactions against God views of righteousness, not paying our taxes when we can is rebellious witchcraft.
Righteousness exults an nation... I am more than 65 yrs old, are you? If not, become a member of the solution, not the problem.
Note: Taxes is necessary to help all communities function economically and socially, with progress being the main goal. But are the A to Z Caesars of nowadays paying their fair share? They too should,
Note: mine personal opinion been rightfully expressed.
There are no taxes
There is ZERO poverty.
It's GDP is the second highest in the World
The VI should adopt the Monaco model so that it can thrive and do right by its people.
1. (like someone done mention) don't issue permit to those who been here working and not contributing in any form (meaning ss, nhi etc.) All we doing be allowing this act to happen is cause people who long to better their lives are turn down and others keep staying and abusing the system.
2. hold the employer reason for such act. A lot of people bring it people and let them run wild. and these very same indivudual that runs wild often are the one that has the worst to say about Tortola. I
If Tortola so bad, why stay and continue to work here.
SICK and TIRED of them......
So have you introduced a scheme Minister that requires a certificate from a government agency that cannot be obtained from a government agency because the government do not issue them?
Have you undertaken a regulatory burden analysis to identify just how much expense you are imposing on legitimate business in the territory because of the perceived ills of a minority?
What words come to mind regarding this ill thought out policy?
Ridiculous?
Chaotic?
Mean-spirited?
Ad hoc?
Just plain bad management?
Nothing in, nothing out!!
Wicked
However we must also be mindful of how we treat the stranger the world is round
poor performance that is allowed gets repeated. 5 or 10 years in the territory and no reported earnings. How do they survive? Are they engaged in critical felony activity? Probably not. Are they non productive residents living off of taxpaying citizens? No. Are they consuming services and not contributing towards their delivery? Probably. What is the fix? Conducted comprehensive inspections and enforce the law. Again, don’t expect what you don’t expect?