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‘Stigma attached to Labour Department removed’- Hon Kye M. Rymer

- said public can now look forward to improved client experience
Acting Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), left, seen here with Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (AL) and Labour Commissioner Janice I.F. Rymer, believes the Department of Labour has made significant strides in offering an improved client experience. Photo: VINO
According to Acting Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), it’s the revived processes that are resulting in the Labout Department excelling, ‘And is now being seen as a department where persons feel good about going.’ Photo: VINO
According to Acting Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), it’s the revived processes that are resulting in the Labout Department excelling, ‘And is now being seen as a department where persons feel good about going.’ Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- For years the government department that handles all levels of labour related matters was stigmatised, having been accused of being unfriendly, unfair to persons filing disputes, ducking work permits, tardiness in communicating with applicants, just to name a few.

However, recently a government-led process has reportedly recorded a marked improved rating of the department. This has led Acting Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) stating with much confidence that the stigma attached to the Labour Department has been removed.

Hon Rymer was speaking at the department's renaming ceremony held at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on Tortola on July 5, 2019.

Improved client experience

He said it’s the revived processes that are resulting in the department excelling, "And is now being seen as a department where persons feel good about going."

According to Hon Rymer, the process has so far reflected “significant effort, and the public can look forward to improvement in their client experience."

He said the new title, 'The Department of Labour and Workforce Development, is a truer and more accurate reflection of the services, including mitigating labour disputes, streamlining the work permit processes and the strict implementation of the updated Labour Code that local and expatriates alike can make use of from this high functioning department."

He said it is hoped that when the name ‘Department of Labour and Workforce Development’ is said, "It will engender in all of us a positive mental image based on a work of a motivated staff whose output represents the true nature of this extremely beneficial department."

10 Responses to “‘Stigma attached to Labour Department removed’- Hon Kye M. Rymer”

  • Hit the nail on the head (07/07/2019, 11:51) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Now ask all businesses to lodge vacancies with the department even though they [the businesses] lodge them on other media sources. There should be quarterly reporting by the department of number of persons placed, number of jobs placed with the department, and the website should be updated with those jobs. Other departments that should partner with Labour is the Trade Department that should quarterly report the number of trade licences issued and the active jobs that were created.
  • great (07/07/2019, 12:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really hope so..Full credit for addressing this department. These long bad issues.. We will see.
  • What!! (07/07/2019, 12:52) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Patting yourself on the back, where did you get this feedback from???”people feeling good about going to Labour Department” ???
    • Jarhead (08/07/2019, 10:07) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      This gentleman is either seriously confident or wading in disillusion. With a name change, the stigma is instantly removed? It’s that easy?? Really clueless. I say a revamp of the entire Dept systems and processes and move some persons, then you can start the journey of removing ‘the stigma’ and monitor how it’s going.
      • Victim of labour’s bias (10/07/2019, 00:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are absolutely correct, a simple name change have no substance. Employers Swift to injustice Employees whilst BVI labour department slow out of the starting gate and often times stays in the box. Shame on our labor department for its years of siding with the unjust employer. Mr.Minister I am a BH and this is a fact. I hope your adminstration will ensure that justice prevail in the workplace without fear,favor and nepotism.Moorings, Tico and Riteway are prominent offenders of workplace injustice you and your teammates need to watch closely.
        We will be watching BH and Expats alike.
  • x worker (07/07/2019, 13:33) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    when are they going to get rid of Janice and maybe her deputy? that will be real reform
  • RealTalk (10/07/2019, 00:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Thank you, J**ice overstayed her welcome, that a fact, she sided numerous times with unfair employers to hurt her own people this
    Blessed land.she love to side with white people, for real. J**ice you needs to voluntarily leave for the good of this office please.

    • Hope (11/07/2019, 00:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      Many employees still have cases pending labor’ s intervention , J........ why? Kindly spear this government any bad name by you continue to be siding with white employers to injustice your own..J..... have a conscience for God sake J....... be fair

      • Fair play needed (11/07/2019, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        After living in this beautiful country for 30years and 2months,I have seen too many cases where our labor department has failed miserably to render justice in favor of numerous employees, instead ruled in favor of unfair employers. What sort of workplace culture we’re fostering? One of these regrettable day we shall have a bloodbath in these unjust workplace, and the BVI labour department will be partially responsible.food for thought! Ms commissioner you and your team it’s time to be just to people and STOP injustice people because of favoritism, STOP. Someone wrote about Moorings Riteway and Tico are the leaders in workplace exploitation, injustice and other practices that will ignite uncivilized behaviors, are you aware bod these companies, wa good idea is that labor go into work place once a month to hear from various departments. being proactive as a preventative measure, labor it is coming, give people justice


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