VI Gov’t not asking anyone who lost jobs 'to leave’- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley
Instead, it is informing persons residing in the Virgin Islands (VI), who have been terminated and would like to seek alternative employment, to apply to the Acting Chief Immigration Officer for the option to receive a Conditional Permit under Section 31(1)(c) and 31(1A) of the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2016.
The section of the Act allows an eligible person, (that is, persons residing for a period of five years, and not having a previous Conditional Permit within the last three (3) years) to remain in the VI while seeking employment for a period of three (3) months.
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) noted; however, that Government is mindful that not all employees who have been terminated will qualify for such a permit.
Not everyone will qualify for Condition Permit
“I am cognizant of the fact, that this may require some non-BVI employees to leave the Territory if no viable job opportunities are readily available to them,” Hon Wheatley said today, May 3, 2020, in a statement on radio and social media.
“I; however, want to state, that while we know that other jurisdictions are already asking persons on work permits, and not currently working, to leave during this time, the BVI Government is not requesting anyone to leave at this [time],” Hon Wheatley clarified.
He said Government will continue, for as long as it can, to assist its brothers and sisters of the wider Caribbean, mainland US, Europe and other parts of the world, during this unprecedented and unpredictable time.
“I am also working with my team, to give assistance to workers who may want to return to these beautiful Virgin Islands, to reestablish your healthy contributions to our Territory,” Hon Wheatley added.
Information collected by the Department of Labour and Workforce Development has so far revealed that approximately 33 businesses have had to close due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 683 persons have been laid off and some 72 persons have been terminated throughout the Territory.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
57 Responses to “VI Gov’t not asking anyone who lost jobs 'to leave’- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”
Good is aware how BVIslanders and Belongers treat West Indian island people. Yes, there are bad island people and there are good island people. Sometimes good wonders why the wicked aren’t destroyed sooner. There are bad and good BVIslanders and Belongers.
There are some BVI Belongers that forget where they came from that they too were down islanders or that at least one of their parents was a down islander and, that is why I made the comment. So, it was not a down islander that made the post.
Be human to others and you will see how far you prosper.
If not careful and if the VirginIslands dont stand up they will become the door mats. Expats will walk on them as if this territory belongs to them. This Government needs to stand up for its people and do what is right.
Don't get them wrong they need the expats but they must not feel they can do what they want and the people must just hush. Its wrong. Work together not again. Treat The indigenous people fair and you the expats will get a fair share simple.
1] "Blacks" were in the America's long, long before the transatlantic slave trade.
2] 200 years since the start of transatlantic slave trade?
You are twice a fool.
This andew fahie led government is by the people and for the people.
I will continue to say that the people of the bvi are the most loving people on creation.
That's not my opinion,but that's a demonstrated fact.
In good times and in bad times,your government is with you.
God save her majesty's government.
..........
...
Why can't these bloggers understand that there are so many reasons people come here. Maybe they aren't running from something but to something better at the time. Calling down people's homelands is exactly what you are claiming expats do to the BVI!