Job trend statistics needed for VI - Commentator
Wheatley asked the questions during his Speak Out BVI radio programme aired on June 25, 2013. He further questioned whether the layoffs might have been seasonal and the employees brought back later on.
Sixteen workers were made redundant earlier this month at CCT Global Communications while two staff members at LIME BVI were also made redundant a short while afterwards. Reports also indicate that nearly twenty employees were left without jobs at Sunsail, including five of its managers and a number of security officers.
“Perhaps with the boat company [Sunsail], there’s a slow season for tourism and there is a high season and perhaps the layoffs have something to do with the slow season,” Wheatley reasoned.
Wheatley argued that it warrants exploration to determine whether the layoffs were a pattern or trend taking place in the Virgin Islands (VI) economy right now.
He noted that in some other countries such as the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, one is able to get a great deal of statistical information that will tell the state of the economy and how things are going.
Hinting that the VI may be in need of a similar model as its neighbour, he stated “We have a department here that produces information, perhaps not as much as you would get in the United States or the UK that would help you to determine what is happening.”
Apart from the information that is put out though, the host said one can perhaps “get a feel” of what is happening as they drive around the Territory or hear persons talk.
He offered to leave the question open as to whether the layoffs were indeed a continuing trend in the economy or simply a temporary hiccup in an economy that is doing quite well.
One caller said he had been in the Territory for over twenty years and had never seen things gotten so bad, “I’m trusting in God strong now,” the caller stated.
He suggested that the Territory did well previously with the airport and cruise ships. “We have to get the number back up and you have to find ways to get people,” he added.
Implying that danger may be down the road, the caller said, if the [Territory] is selling a product and couldn’t find ways to get people to buy their product then a ripple effect would be coming.
“It’s a reality, it’s sad to see your people lose jobs…” the caller said while encouraging citizens to assist the government with ideas and asking that the government get information to the people to help them make decisions.
“We need a government that can do it rapidly,” he said, “because, Doug, time is against us.”
Meanwhile, Wheatley said, “We don’t want to be… purveyors of doom, but obviously it looks like a very serious matter.”
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