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'We cannot import all the labour & have locals sitting @ home'- Hon Wheatley

- said Labour Department taking time to process work permits to ensure locals not disenfranchised
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) said the Department of Labour is making sure locals are benefitting from job opportunities. Photo: GIS/File
The Department of Labour is said to be doing due diligence to make sure it is not giving away jobs that locals can do. Photo: VINO/File
The Department of Labour is said to be doing due diligence to make sure it is not giving away jobs that locals can do. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), while on VIP Let's Talk on January 18, 2022, defended the Department of Labour and Workforce Development and the lengthy time that the department processes work permits. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), while on VIP Let's Talk on January 18, 2022, defended the Department of Labour and Workforce Development and the lengthy time that the department processes work permits. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has defended the Department of Labour and Workforce Development and the lengthy time that the department processes work permits.

He said it is not because the department is overly slow but it is because it is ensuring locals are not disenfranchised.

According to the Labour Minister, there are labour challenges in all parts of the world and the Virgin Islands is no different.

"What we see happening in the VI now on a broad scale is that no one expected the VI to turn around so quickly and for the economy to be so robust,” Hon Wheatley said on VIP Let’s Talk on ZBVI 780 AM last night, January 18, 2022.

He said the VI is seeing a situation where a number of businesses are all seeking to recruit and hire persons at the same time.

"It is unprecedented, it never really happened before and the local labour pool as we know is very restricted and very small. So many persons are forced to seek labour from the outside. Now we cannot import all the labour and have our local persons sitting at home. It is always important to us in Labour that we seek out the locals who would be able to fill the positions before we send them on the outside,” he explained.

Due diligence

During those times, he explained the processing time can be lengthy.

“Hence sometimes we have a delay in processing permits; it is not that the system is slow, it is that we are doing due diligence to make sure we are not giving away jobs that locals can do. In the frenzy and in the fit to hire everybody, the easiest thing to do is just approve all work permits; a lot of persons would be happy, but what about that local person who is sitting on that corner? Who can mop that floor for you, who can DJ for you, who can be a waiter for you, do we not give them a chance?” the Labour Minister asked.

The majority of the workforce consists of expatriates.

36 Responses to “'We cannot import all the labour & have locals sitting @ home'- Hon Wheatley”

  • continue to look out for us (19/01/2022, 11:02) Like (9) Dislike (35) Reply
    Make the BVI great again Vincent for we bvislanders got your back
    • vi (19/01/2022, 12:18) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
      All what they want to do is go off of st croix to get ketch and carry elligals to the usvi they don’t want to work the two weeks to long to get paid
    • Local (20/01/2022, 06:44) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      I try to employ locals all the time but I have to retrain them every time they come back from lunch break.
  • Finally (19/01/2022, 11:04) Like (14) Dislike (39) Reply
    Atlast someone is looking out for we the natives.....THANK GOD!
  • ..... (19/01/2022, 11:08) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    What about all those law firms who refuse to hire local lawyers like ****r and **th**rs
  • Fluff & Nonsense (19/01/2022, 11:08) Like (28) Dislike (7) Reply
    More BS from the Minster for Red Tape.
  • CloserLook (19/01/2022, 11:23) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply

    Well said honorable Weathley, but firm actions must accompanied those words of justice. This unethical practice has became common place in the BVI workforce, and little or no actions of justice as taken place to "nip" such practice in the bud. Primary culprit of such practice is R****y, why they are getting away with such, locals must be last or never in the queue for R*****y. In recent times R*****y brought in over 8 foreigners/expats, placed them in managerial positions ,for the locals to ( train them), that's OKAY?... WORKERS ARE afraid to speak up, especially when they are on work permits, and also claimed that our labor department and immigration sided with these companies who indulged in such unethical and unfair practices, by way off feet dragging when complains are made. I went in R*****y few days ago, I was astounded with all these expats, people right in the company I know qualified and not given a chance. Only expats much earn big money. Ultimately I am appealing via this medium to our minister and labor and immigration to turn the corner on this one.

    • Unfortunately (19/01/2022, 14:41) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      Mr. Minister the real deal is that most locals,:not all do not to do certain jobs. When the expats accept those jobs that they don't want all of a sudden the expats are taking their jobs....l can give tons of examples. Just like in America, they are always saying foreigners are taking their jobs ( which they have preference to) but they don't want to be janitors, lunch ladies, etc. I personally know of a woman that has a Masters degree in Business and she was a janitor in a hotel. Some locals have plenty of pride. Be honest you that is true, they feel like they are entitled, with or without training, education or credentials. This goes for other countries as well. You should encourage the locals to burry their pride and take the jobs the are given to the expats, and l am sure with that behaviour that is why some law firms and other businesses don't want to hire them....how l see it a job is a job as long as you're getting pay for it. My word of wisdom to the locals take the jobs so we won't have to blame expats for taking them ..yes, yes
    • lol (19/01/2022, 18:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you think locals are willing to share what they know with anyone not "bahn hea" you must be living in another territory
      • Maryjane (19/01/2022, 21:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ lol. Well that's great if the locals want to share what the know with '' their bahn hea'' that way they will get the jobs that are going to the expats. That sounds like great empowerment to me, if they are willing to share their skills with each other. Then the Minister wouldn't have any reason to make the comment he made about importing labourers, while locals are sitting down. I am from right here but we have to be honest with ourselves. The comment that was made by '' Unfortunately'' is correct. Locals don't even want to rent their apartments to other locals because they don't want to pay or they linger with paying their rent.
  • island man (19/01/2022, 12:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You making people believe that you don’t know what the locals want to do talk the truth say you going advise them to go in the trade workforce
  • home boy (19/01/2022, 14:16) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Local to damm lazy
  • Citizen (19/01/2022, 14:26) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    Locals not sitting home, most doing drug business, didn’t you understand from recent drug busts!
  • E. Leonard (19/01/2022, 14:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI population and workforce is small and also lacks (shortage) the skill sets in some areas, ie, craftsman and other technical areas. Locals are concentrated mostly in administrative areas; whereas, expats are concentrated in the technical skills. A confluence of factors drove this situation, ie, encouraging of locals to pursue administrative skills over technical skills, transition from subsistence agriculture to tourism and financial services (creating more job opportunities and different skills), improved standard of living and quality of life, government developmental planning, education and training, emigration, etc. Moreover, generally, as a community’s standard of living and quality of life changes, locals tend to shy away from certain jobs. It is a reality in both developed and developing countries, ie, US, UK, Canada, etc.

    Moreover, the Virgin Islands (British) will need to import labour. But it needs to take prudent, sensible and practical actions to minimize the amount labour imported. It needs to develop a national labour management master plan. It does not have to reinvent the wheel; it can benchmark other successful locales. In the interim, some imported positions may require a local understudy as is done in other regional countries. Additionally, in other locales, employees exploit foreign and motivated workers at the expense of locals. Is this happening in the VI?
    • RealPol (19/01/2022, 22:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, real talks and facts. I will add that the BVI did a piss poor job planning for the new skillsets that accompanied the transition from subsistence agriculture to tourism and financial services.
    • @E. Leonard (20/01/2022, 12:30) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @E. Leonard, a balanced, truthful and reality based post.
  • Boss (19/01/2022, 14:50) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Continue denying work permit and watch the tourist industry suffer. Remember Mr Minister tourist season only last for six months, and when you have people work or week and decide not to work next you will regret it.
  • HATRED AND RACISM (19/01/2022, 14:51) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    I thought it was the WHITE PEOPLE who
    were evil and racist
  • Sam (19/01/2022, 15:22) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    mr politicians less talk more action
    action speaks louder than words

  • Hmmm. Slow down Minister. (19/01/2022, 16:03) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Do you know why locals are sitting at home?. In any case they cannot sit at home and get work without making the effort...Xpats are here patrolling the streets daily looking for work...Checking every website for an opportunity. ...So if people chose to sit at home thats what they chose.. . So I Dont understand what the ministers point is. Or he just looking an excuse to oppress xpats..
    • g (19/01/2022, 17:50) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Exactly, some local go to businesses and do interviews and they never showed up when they got the job and scheduled to work. They get a pat on the back by Mr. Minister.
  • Peaches (19/01/2022, 18:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Wheatley, your Ministry, and the HR Department need to look urgently into how locals treat other locals in the civil service. Soon fight is going to break out if you all don't look into this situation. I believe it is not being looked at because the offenders have family members in high places. This injustice needs to stop. People will not continue to take the bullying on the job. LOOK INTO IT FAST!!
  • WOW (19/01/2022, 18:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok Minister Wheatly. You have rally for the Ppl of the BVI well the local/ the first settlement, i hate the term born here where is here if not on earth. You need to looking this situation more before you bit off more than you can handle. Who build this place to what it is now? Ask yourself that then look at the demogravic of the bvi and you well see why outside personals are crictical to the growth of the BVI. What build a steady business growth knowledge and experience right start education and make more tangible opporturnity for the locals. Walk away from the stupid thing of i know your ppl/ family so u got the job that in itself send a very bad message that once my family is popular i can make no matter how poorly i did in school or the fact that i am not trained or equip to handle that position. Let keep it real ppl you cant blame or help government point fingers and attack ppl for seeking a better life making a decent honest living. The fact of the matter the government arent doing enough to ensure that the people they fighting for are grossly qualified to hold the position that are deem to be taken from locals that sit at home. The thing i dont understand is which group off ppl and why you targeting these ppl alone. I am sorry but i believe if you trying to rally for something you so hold dear to your heart then you should lead by example. Dont you have a business to tell the public how much locals you have employed at your establishment. At lease before you try Telling persons you dont know how there business start who they can and can not hire.

    You have locals at home right of that number how many truly want to work and have to qualification desires by employors today. Fix that then you address the other issues of making locals marketable for the current work force. I am not against the topic of locals needing job but i am strongly against government forcing me to hire someone or persons that dosent have the qualifications. I am one the believe experience comes from opporturnities afforded to ppl. But i have a serious question for the Minister trying to bully business owner and his gangsters ( labour and immgration) have you look at the ambition of the current generation? I have sent first hand local men and women work to gain enough money to buy bullshit like scooter and other crap that dont mean nothing after its bought stay home after gaining the funds to get what they desire and try come back weeks or months later after funds dry up so tell me how my business will function with employees with that kinda mind set. Local have the opporturnity for gainful employment but they attitude toward work kills the prospects of personal growth and ultimately the opporturnity for future locals seeking employment. You wanna be real understand person starts there businesses just like you to generate revenue and growth i doing start a company to be on pause cause i hire your pick that labour send me that only looking to work until he or she can afford what they want to fit into their peers and walk off the job leaving my business at square one ( looking to hire again after 2 weeks or a month)

    I wonder who are locals to this country because it have kids here that born here and still they parents have to pay for time so they can live in a country there drawn their first breath. This place is twisted and have serious reservations. By quick to calm person doing well internationally who either born hear to white parents meanwhiles the ones that born here to black and spanish ppl has to live years here to get status because of where their parents from who not from this place you label bvi love. So i ask you mr. Minister who are locals you are takling about cause it seem to be only where is suit you and your othe 12 kings you know locals.

    In closing your either a democatic country or a communist country.
  • jah (19/01/2022, 18:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    An other unnecessary act of Mr. Gimmick
  • WOW (19/01/2022, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so many people on permits and doing 3 and 4 jobs and some think that is alright

  • hmmm (19/01/2022, 23:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How hypocritical this is when you go into Dr offices and supermarkets they all expats but then I forget most of the elites have ties in those industries... So I'm guessing it's the small man stay having to suffer..
  • Hire local (20/01/2022, 07:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would love to hire local it’s a lot cheaper than paying permit fees and travel expenses and investing thousands in a candidate only to find out they hate living here and quit after two months. I’ve tried hiring locals and nearly every one I hired had zero work ethic. Late on first day, slow on the job, moped around all day with head hung low like they were ashamed to be at work. Tried training, tried getting them certified on new products. Still call in sick at least one day a week and constantly late and coming up with excuses to leave early. Never willing to go the extra mile or show any initiative. Something needs to be done here in the children’s development and schools or only place locals gonna work is for govt.
  • Common Sense (20/01/2022, 07:43) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    This gentleman would be better looking into why businesses don’t want to employ locals, there has to be a reason. This writer can assure him that employing locals is the easiest route for local businesses, no permits, no accommodation problems, no travel arrangements interrupting work. With so many positives to employing locals, there has to be a major reason why businesses don’t want to do it.
  • hulk (20/01/2022, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hear the moorings bring 12 captain to sail boat and put them salary we has captain can afford to let this happen hon. Weathley we with u 12 captain comin not good them done bring 6 already we need u
    • @Hulk (20/01/2022, 13:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Have you tried sending tourist guests out with local captain? They drink on the job and run off smoking dope when guests want to leave. Go take your local captain BS and siddung
  • home boy (20/01/2022, 15:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This joker from VG needs to sit down, I have a business and can’t get no local to work, thank God for the people on work permit, because our economy will go to hell, check all these local young men sitting under the three in every village, all they want to do is get a fast boat and smuggle drugs.Sad ,and don’t start I am from hear .
  • @ THE VG PRINCE (20/01/2022, 16:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unless an Xpat is here illegally , then you can deport them / otherwise they pay taxes / they pay rent / they pay their bills like groceries , water , cable electricity ,rent so they are not living here for free , they are
    contributing to the country / the employers who not contributing nothing is said about that/ instead you flexing your muscles on people who work honestly and send some money through money gram ,( real hypocrisy
  • Tourism Man (20/01/2022, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are no excuses as to why expats should be hired over locals . The long standing policy of the territory is BVIslanders and Belongers first and everyone else after. Full stop.


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