Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Work permits shouldn't be money making scheme - Hon Julian Fraser RA

- opposed to government's proposal to raise work permit fees as means of revenue generation
Leader of the Opposition and Representative for the Third District, Honourable Julian Fraser RA is vehemently opposed to the proposal to raise work permit fees, saying it should not be a means for revenue generation and would only encourage more migrant workers. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith said the work permit structure would be changed so that the fees will be more in line to what is charged in other Overseas Territories. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith said the work permit structure would be changed so that the fees will be more in line to what is charged in other Overseas Territories. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Leader of the Opposition and Representative for the Third District, Honourable Julian Fraser RA is vehemently opposed to the proposal to raise work permit fees, saying it should not be a means for revenue generation and would only encourage more migrant workers.

Hon Fraser was speaking on March 24, 2016 during the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly as the budget debates got underway.

The proposal to raise work permit fees was just one of a raft of measures that Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith spoke of during his budget speech in the House of Assembly on Monday February 8, 2016.

"I am not too sure, Madam Speaker, that raising the fees on work permits is the answer," Honourable Fraser said.

"If we are going to use work permits as a revenue generating scheme what that does Madam Speaker is that it encourages the influx of immigrant workers because the more we get the more money we make...It should not be a money making scheme."

He said work permits should be issued only on need...not the need for money but the need for skills and labour. 

"It should not be an incentive for this country to want to import labour and if money becomes involved, Madam Speaker, that it becomes an incentive to want to import labour. I have a problem with that," he said.

Premier Smith had said the work permit structure would be changed so that the fees would be more in line to what is charged in other overseas territories.

He said the fees would be charged at various levels to reflect the level of income of the employee.

At a press conference on February 10, 2016, the Premier expounded on the proposal to raise fees for work permits.

"We spoke about the work permits, in our country there are work permits, here the highest value for work permits is $1,000 and it depends on the work you do, the employment level of remuneration. We are going to review that but review it in such a way that those who earn more, make more money, will pay more...those on the lower end will not be affected," he said.

He noted that some other Overseas Territories go as high as $7,000 or $13,000 for work permits in such categories. “So compare to us with a $1,000 maximum you see the vast difference..." he said.

26 Responses to “Work permits shouldn't be money making scheme - Hon Julian Fraser RA”

  • Give them the title (04/04/2016, 18:25) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    Frazer let them go ahead and raise it. They will never win another election. Dr. Smith and the VIP will take the title of island people hater from you.. Thats not a good title to have. That have great consequences.
    • Well Well (05/04/2016, 16:17) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Before finding fault of everything, please sit and think about things. We have Trust Company managers coming to the British Virgin Islands for a three year stint, and in that short stint amasses a fortune before someone else is sent for their opportunity. They are given a vehicle, food allowances, free rent and huge salaries. Most of them do nothing because they have no clue. Then there are the lawyers who are in and out of the BVI sometimes five times a month from England, mind you. Our local lawyers are not given the opportunity to grow and become more learned in the law. They pay them in pounds directly to their accounts in England in astronomical numbers. I mean come on, that is a 13 hour flight to Antigua each way. What do we get from that other than the hotel room fee and a few meals? A good $3,000 work permit fee should definitely be charged to them. We are not saying the more the merrier. They are here. They are coming. We can't stop them. They make a killing working in our shores and enjoy our nice weather as well. Well, while here they flush. They drive, and our infrasctructure is being overrun. I don't have a problem with them being here, but money is tight now and they can and should pay higher work permit fees. Hon. Fraser RA down on his farm and don't have a clue what is going on or don't give a damn. The money for all these overpriced projects cannot come from the sky. Work permit fees is a good place to start.
  • Bunny (04/04/2016, 18:28) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    does ndp care? they left the country broke now they taxing the poor strupps
  • Girley (04/04/2016, 18:42) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    I quite agree with you hon Fraser. However if the fees are high that could also be a deterrent for those who do not have a skills need but are rather doing favors. A lot of that goes on too. Just the other day someone asked me to sponsor two family members and when I told him I do not have Work for them he told me that I do not have to worry about that, they will find work. I had no clue that it is suppose to work like that although I suspected that this is allowed by labour and immigration. As a means of revenue government should also fine those who apply for work permits but the people are not working for them. Once a person apples for a work permit for someone and is granted approval he/she should be made to pay social security, NHI and taxes to inland revenue for that person. Labour and immigration should be working with those other three departments to ensure compliance.
  • Tolian (04/04/2016, 18:42) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    the ndp is only here to drain us out.LOOK AT THE HOSPITAL.FEES RIDICULOUSLY HIGH LOOK AT NOW NHI . WOW. CAN I LIST? NOW TAX.. COME ON. I VOTED FOR NDP. NOW I'M SALT.
  • voter (04/04/2016, 18:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Doc "don't have a clue/robust economy" and his gang are grasping at straws as SS BVI slips under the great blue sea. You cannot tax your population out of the current mess.
  • Voter 2 (04/04/2016, 19:20) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    It is high time the work permit fees are increased. When certain fees are too low it attracts all sorts. BVI need to look carefully at who are coming and why. Work pernit fees in Cayman are high and they are not suffering as a result thereof and neither will the BVI.
    • @Voter 2 (04/04/2016, 19:38) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Cayman islands employers pay their employees work permit. And their salary is higher than ours.
      • shark (04/04/2016, 22:40) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        It seems to me that instead of searching for scapegoats to blame, the NDP needs to focus on the inane qualities of their leader.
    • Former LC (04/04/2016, 20:51) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      It is long overdue for an increase in Work Permit fees, according to salary. BVI was the "big joke" at Labour Conferences on discussion of Work Permit fees. Our problem is that we either dont know how to bring in revenue, or, we are afraid to lose votes, if we do. One great advantage is that if the fees are raised, employers will be forced to comply with the Labour Code in regards to hiring qualified BVIslands
  • @_Tolian. (04/04/2016, 19:41) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    @Tolian..I voted for NDP now I salt. Hahahaha. I like that. You make me laugh. Funny.
  • Aha (04/04/2016, 20:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    That's for those who said " we don't need ago!" Send them home!" We all know that work permit fees have always been revenue for the bvi
  • @ Tolian (04/04/2016, 20:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes MVW I also voted for them. You included. But you laugh now mark my words I'll have the last laugh next time around.
  • wize up (04/04/2016, 20:55) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    I just want to see the VIP regroup
    • HMMM (07/04/2016, 21:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are a dreamer,! VIP dead and buried. But don't worry, election time they will put together a team two weeks before elections to talk foolishness about NDP this and NDP that. No plans to move our country forward. And guess what? They will still be crying they were caught by surprise. You give me a break.
  • mr (04/04/2016, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Cayman dollar is higher than the US dollar, you cannot compare apples with oranges....
  • vex (04/04/2016, 21:25) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I still maintain NDP must go
  • Hon. Fraser (04/04/2016, 22:04) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    HOw did you get that do? Gray moustache and side burns and black head of hair. Diversity is Awesome!
  • weed (04/04/2016, 22:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is ridiculous to blame the poor for the rich who steal all the money
  • Charley Rose (05/04/2016, 05:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am in sympathy with the Hon. Premier. It is about time the territory's leaders look at other ways to generate revenue and not relying on work permit fees. Even an increase in fees will not deter expats from applying for work permits. Hon. Premier that is not a wise move. If you would like to increase revenue, then you need to walk the streets and inquire from persons who are successful and don't rely on your cabinet to advise you. It may sound laughable, however, some of the most successful people in this country are not in the House of Assembly.
  • i from here (05/04/2016, 08:28) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    But Fraser you had someone running on your VIP ticket that was using it for money making scheme.
  • long (05/04/2016, 23:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nothing doing people. Ndp
  • old (07/04/2016, 08:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We lock up three police man what happen to the three. Ndp man


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.