Premier Andrew A. Fahie through a Monday, July 22, 2019 media announcement on the release of the Government's Fast Track intuitive this Wednesday July 24, 2019, also noted that the government is always aware of issues within the immigration and labour system in the territory and will be making moves to clamp down on illegalities. Photo: VINO/File

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie is assuring that his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government is listening to the voices and cries of the people as they chart a better Virgin Islands (VI) for the citizen with regards to labour laws. . Photo: VINO/File

The Premier, through a Monday, July 22, 2019 media announcement on the release of the Government's Fast Track initiative this Wednesday July 24, 2019, also noted that the government is always aware of issues within the immigration and labour system in the territory and will be making moves to clamp down on illegalities.

'Gov’t is Aware' – Premier Fahie

“I want to assure all citizens that your government is more than familiar with the concerns that have troubled our Virgin Islanders for years-on-end with respect to our immigration and labour laws and systems.”

He said that there is a widespread belief that these laws and systems are not effective in seeking and protecting the welfare of our citizens and local businesses. “These concerns have strong merit. They are real,” the Premier noted.

The leader of Government business added that problems cannot be fixed with 'big talk', but noted that new policies require careful, deliberate, strategic action, and hence his administration has undertaken to treat the immigration issues in a step-by-step approach.

Premier Fahie said Phase 1 of the immigration and labour reform strategy involves tying off loose ends and he pointed out that it will create a clean slate for introducing a new framework of policies that will better serve Virgin Islanders.

“It will bring closure to certain outstanding matters and shut the floodgates so that persons will no longer be able to remain unchecked in the territory for extended periods of time only for them to show up one day with certain claims,” Premier Fahie noted. 

Work permits & fake jobs 

Further, the premier said his administration has taken note of the cries of the citizens, that they are being disadvantaged in the workplace under conditions where job opportunities are thwarted.

“We are aware that persons have been flouting their statutory obligations with respect to Income Tax, Social Security and NHI. We are aware that persons are entering the country on work permits for fake jobs, and that many of those individuals are freelancing, thereby depriving others of an opportunity to have employment.”

The premier noted that new policies have been put in place to ensure that, “would require all requests for work permit renewals to be accompanied by a good standing certificate from NHI, Social Security and Inland Revenue.”  

Hon Fahie assured that among other things, all businesses and persons on work permits should be playing their part to strengthen government's resolve to more adequately tackle the social and health ills of the territory, by helping to secure the revenue that may be escaping the coffers of the Treasury.