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‘Govt creating atmosphere of slavery with NHI’ – Winston E. Nibbs

- believes it will result in low morale & slowed productivity among the territory’s private sector workforce
Talk show regular and social commentator Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey declared that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is creating an atmosphere of slavery, compelling employers to sign up their employees to the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI). Photo: File/Provided
Winston E. Nibbs (second from right) is seen here with (L-R) Doug Wheatley, Edmund G. Maduro and Natalio D. Wheatley as they submitted the NHI petition on October 13, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Winston E. Nibbs (second from right) is seen here with (L-R) Doug Wheatley, Edmund G. Maduro and Natalio D. Wheatley as they submitted the NHI petition on October 13, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Talk show regular and social commentator Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey declared that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is creating an atmosphere of slavery by compelling employers to sign up their employees to the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI).

He was one of the guests of the Speak Out BVI show hosted by Doug Wheatley and aired on ZBVI 780 AM on October 27, 2015 from 8:00 pm.

The NHI, which is to be fully implemented come January 1, 2016, will mandate that all employees sign up to the scheme, whether or not they already have insurance coverage.

“The present administration should not want to be trying to put pressure on the private enterprise operations, such as telling bosses that they have to sign up and creating another form of slavery in our country. We don’t want to do that,” said Nibbs.

“Because one of the points that we want to check for right now, and we have to be careful, and this is the point that we have been overlooking, is that if we go ahead and institute this thing the way that we are instituting it by creating this slavery atmosphere, morale could end up getting damaged in the workplace.”

Nibbs said there are a lot of persons speaking to members of the group privately saying that their company assists them with insurance and they don’t want to lose that.

He believes that this situation could have such a negative impact on the morale of workers that there could be a downturn in the level of productivity as a result.

“We don’t want to set off those types of atmospheres…I think we could look at this thing much more sensibly and make it work.”

Nibbs said that the charge that the Government is putting on the people of the country is “too ridiculous” at 7.5 percent for the financing of the NHI.

Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith is currently looking at a petition that was submitted to him earlier this month by a group calling itself the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group of which Nibbs is part. Dr Smith has not responded to the group as yet.

16 Responses to “‘Govt creating atmosphere of slavery with NHI’ – Winston E. Nibbs”

  • YeSa (29/10/2015, 08:47) Like (38) Dislike (16) Reply
    Where this fool come, he trying to sell his self to run in next election, picture this people like you guys in this picture with negatives i could never vote for. Please go and sit down from passing wrong information to us.
  • wow (29/10/2015, 09:36) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Does this man understand what slavery was? WTF??
    • @SMH (29/10/2015, 10:18) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      EMANCIPATE YOURSELF FROM MENTAL SLAVERY NONE BUT OURSELVES CAN FREE OUR MINDS!
  • peace (29/10/2015, 09:47) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Leave the man alone. He has a right to talk this is a democratic country. We are not in Cuba.
  • Dulcina (29/10/2015, 09:51) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    There is a village on the beautiful Island of Antigua that' s missing its resident idiot.
    • Twinkle (29/10/2015, 10:19) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Is this your personal Notice on your behalf because you seem lost. We can help guide you back.
      • @Twinkle (29/10/2015, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Much appreciation for your concern but Dulcina is comfortably and soundly in her rightful place and space. You misinterpreted her blog but the dozen dislikes is a very good indication that her statement was understood by the intended target and his supporters.
  • True (29/10/2015, 10:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    as a white boy just let me say that your ancestors would be disgusted by your use of the word slavery in the context of healthcare for everyone but no doubt you have private health insurance and you be the boss man now.
  • everything (29/10/2015, 12:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    When everything is "like slavery" it becomes very easy to dismiss slavery as an everyday event and not the horror it undoubtably was. Maybe consider this is why the UK won't take reparation calls seriously!
  • Len (29/10/2015, 12:46) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Here is the bigger picture. Is it really 7.5%? Or is it more like 7.5% each time a person gets paid. We have workers who get paid once a week, every two weeks, etc. You don't need a math degree to realize that if 7.5% is being deducted (employer & employee combined) each time a person is being paid that would no doubt put a strain on his/her finance as well as the employer. On the part of the employee we 're looking at 4% (social security) 8% (tax) and soon to be 3.75% (NHI) = 15.75% will be deducted from your salary before you can see a dollar. In other words you're only getting 84.25% of your labour.

    My hat off to Nibbs and the others who are taking a stand as this is a matter that needs to be looked at carefully. The standard of living is quite high in the BVI and it doesn't appears that this administration seems to care. What they should be doing is to see how best we can keep money in our pockets instead of taking it away from us. This would no doubt affect the less fortunate in society (the poor).
    • voter (29/10/2015, 13:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's called tax boo. Thats how it works on a percentage. Look it up on google
  • Nic (29/10/2015, 12:52) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    He must have private insurance which he pays for personally (not through an employer). I have one through my employer, and it is not worth cold boiled rice.
  • North Sounder (29/10/2015, 19:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    DR..HANNIBAL SPOKE ABOUT THIS BEING A BURDEN ON THE POOR MAN BACK. NOW EVERY TOM DICK AND WINSTON WANT TO TAKE UP THIS ISSUE WHY BECAUSE IT'S IN THE NEWS. PEOPLE AYO SHOULD AH LISTEN TO HANNIBAL. BUT MORE POWER TO THEM. THAT TAKE ON THIS ISSUE OUR PEOPLE ARE GRUMBLERS THEY LIKE TO SIT BACK AND WATCH . WHEN OTHER PEOPLE STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. GOD HELP US
  • Well.... (02/11/2015, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    People you have to understand that government needs money. The NHI implemented will substitute the loss in revenue that Government made thru Customs where first home owners get a break with tax and the decrease of tax from 15,000. to $10,000. I mean this is a clever ploy.


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