Sunsail sacks many of its employees
Virgin Islands News Online was able to confirm that Sunsil BVI recently terminated the services of close to 20 workers, five of which were managers and a number of security staff members.
This news site was approached by some of the dismissed managers who, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged they were let go even after they were told in a meeting days prior that they would not be sent packing.
One of the managers also claimed there were plans afoot to let go of a further large number of workers. We were unable to confirm this information, however, as calls to Sunsail's Operations Manager Clarence Malone and Human Resources Manager Nadine Maduro were not returned.
Further, one of the workers alleged that they even approached Labour Department who they alleged was aware of the layoffs beforehand as Sunsail had informed them and had even produced the cheques and all documents of payments intended for the affected workers.
“The Tuesday at a meeting, Mr Malone told us that no one was going to lose their jobs and then the Friday in the same week around 4:30 P.M. we get a call to come and pick up our letters,” one of the dismissed managers told this news site. He also said he was disappointed that the persons allegedly being laid off were VIslanders and belongers rather than those on work permits.
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Natural Resources and Labour, Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley told Virgin Islands News Online when contacted that based on the information reaching him, a number of persons from Sunsail BVI had indeed been terminated. He said that while he was still gathering the facts, he has confirmed with the Ag. Commissioner of Labour Ms Janice I. F. Rhymer that some of the workers did take the issue to the Labour Department, which now has the matter in hand to ensure the workers are not disenfranchised.
He said he could not say how many of the affected workers visited Labour Department or the exact number of workers dismissed by Sunsail but that it is estimated it to be approximately 14 workers.
This is about the third major company in the Virgin Islands that has significantly cut its workforce within a two-month period. Yet the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has not apologised to the residents of the Territory for his statement that the economy is robust or publicly sought to give a proper explanation for his statement.
Many, concerned citizens, business entrepreneurs, and members of the House of Assembly have denounced the statement by the Premier and some have called for an explanation from the Premier but to no avail.
What the Premier has since sought to do is to call for the support of members of both sides of the House of Assembly to defend Financial Services, which is currently under severe criticism and pressure on the international scene.
Acting Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering has been calling for the Territory to pray for the Premier as the country is facing “trying times”.
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37 Responses to “Sunsail sacks many of its employees”
You are such a j@@#@$$. It does not matter which party is in they cannot control the world economy. The economy crashed since 2008 and no-one was paying attention.
Dr dont have time with you all because he is busy defending his wife's contract that was given out by he himself.
I voted the Ndp In because I was looking for change, I got what I was looking for, (Change) but the change is killing people and hurting families.
OMG, cant take this $hit any more wow, I cay as I read that, its just sad that my business is not that large to give people jobs as yet. Man this is f$%^ked up, not cool,
you all pastors need to help blaze fire on the NDP, im sure some of you al members will be next or already taken plane. NDP, if I don't live till next election, I promise you im voting for a next party all the way.
NO MORE HUNGER. No more pain, No more NDP
Listen me son, NDP nor VIP is not getting my vote next election coming God willing. I am going to keep my X in my pocket my fingers will be going on vacation because all I see here is dog eat dog that X is so expensive and we are giving it away for nothing HELL NO, NO MORE.
so it is the not governement fault become more to come wait until next week again u will see
The small man who getting low pay don't have to worry especially those who on work permits they are doing 6 man jobs for 1$ you understand what I am saying so people again look out the $monster is coming your way
Boss, development built the BVI. This place has been stagnated since HL Stoutt passed. He was pro-development as long as it meant betterment of the BVI, jobs and prosperity. I will say it again. Until people stop the bull$@#%^ and pettiness it will only get worst. Development in Tourism and Financial Services got us here. Sitting back and just asking Government to spend spend spend more without doing anything else will not take us forward. How can employment be addressed if we are not allowing investment into the Territory? You are basically telling private companies they can't invest, they can't do this, they can't do what they want to earn more money but you want them hire more people to spend more money? That's not how business works. There are many places actively marketing and seeking our market share in many industries and they're making headway. Let us continue the bull#@#$$%t and see what happen. This has nothing to do with permits. IT has to do with a people who don't understand how an economy works. People continue to think via emotion rather than common sense and reality. The fact is without expats the Government couldn't employ over 3,000 people while paying another 3,000 pensions and private sector wouldn't have so many locals with good paying jobs. Wake up and smell the roses. Potential investors monitor the blogs in all these countries do you think they will spend their hard earned money here after reading all the ignorance? All the locals who milk government for ages, what have they invested in the BVI? Not a @#$%^ thing but yet expats are to be blamed? Ya'll set of @$$ho@#$! You think it bad now just wait! All we need now is to elect VIP to finish kill it and I hope you all wicked ungrateful people do just that and feel the wrath!!! From 2007 elections people were told this would happen and now it happening it's NDP or expats fault.