No early Xmas payments for BVI Tourist Board staff
Most government statutory agencies, along with central government, pay their employees the week before Christmas, which represents the end of December payment.
No early Xmas payment for BVITB staff
This has been a tradition for years and many in the private sector also do the same. However, staff at the BVI Tourist Board was outraged on receiving an email dated December 19, 2016 advising that no early Christmas payment will be forthcoming this year.
The email sent to staff by the Director of Tourist Board Sharon Flax-Brutus told employees “the payroll will be available in your accounts by end of the day December 29, 2016.” In other words, there will be no early payments to facilitate Christmas.
Many of the staff members called in to our newsroom to complain and were upset over the sudden change in policy, however, could not go on record because of fear of victimisation.
Mrs Flax-Mars could not be reached for a comment up to the time of publication.
Like all Government owned statutory corporations, there are two pay periods in line with the central government, the 15th and 30th of each month.
Many of the state-owned non-revenue generating Statutory Boards have faced severe financial hardship because their only or main source of revenue is government subversion.
Those agencies have faced cash flow difficulties as the central government is broke as a result of the reckless spending of the ruling National Democratic Party regime of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith. This was confirmed by Governor John S. Duncan OBE.
.png)
Follow Us On
49 Responses to “No early Xmas payments for BVI Tourist Board staff”
BTW: It's not about how much you have. It's about living within your means.
1) The email sent to staff by the Director of Tourist Board Sharon Flax-Brutus told employees “the payroll will be available in your accounts by end of the day December 29, 2016.” - Why this is an issue is beyond me. Why would any of us seek to receive payment for work not yet conducted? Yes, it may have been tradition to have been paid earlier (in the past) BUT, that was a privilege, not a RIGHT. Why would we seek payment for that which we are not entitled for or to? If you don't understand that concept, let me paint a scenario. Twenty staff members get paid ALL of their salary for the month of December on the 15th. Three staff members decide to 'quit' December 18th. But wait, they were already PAID until December 31st! What is the next re-course for the organization? Ok, so you don't care about what the next recourse is for the organization....(presumably), let's address how 'fair' that is to the TAX PAYER'S!! We must learn to cease and desist from the 'me' only mentality and seek to understand the FULL matter first before judgement. Might I suggest even examining personal prejudices and determining if they (personal prejudices) are valid?
The news article went on to say: "In other words, there will be no early payments to facilitate Christmas." On the contrary, early payments have nothing to do with 'facilitating Christmas'. Perhaps as a society we've lost our compass to determine our 'true north'. Have we fallen this far as a society that we no longer celebrate the true meaning and reason for Christmas? Long gone seem the days of being 'our brother's keeper' and giving a hand to our fellow men. A genuine smile, a cup of cold water, a listening ear to our fellow men goes further than money. Even purposing to think the best of our fellow brothers and sisters goes a longer way than money. I mention that because some have used this forum to bash the FC. What are you to gain from doing so? Are you aware of the ENTIRE matter or have you heard, listened to, gossiped about a 'snipet' of information you deem to be true? But is it really true? Geography determines NOT a person's productivity. I challenge each of us to recalibrate our thought processes and THINK, EXPECT and SEE better in EACH of us, regardless of station, post or title.
If we are truly ONE BVI, then let's be just that. Merry Christmas to ALL and a Prosperous, (in EVERY area of life) to my fellow co-workers and fellow BVIslanders.
Scared asked was not the BVI one of the most prosperous countries in the region and how is it now so hand to mouth? The major contributing factor is poor leadership, mismanagement of resources, poor oversight, misguided attitude that the economic window of opportunity would always be there......etc. Thus, we mismanage the oppprtunity. The tide has turned and we are at the ebb for the flow is long gone. In any event, we pretended we were bigger than we were; were are poor boasting. In regards to wealth, the BVI is a have not nation and is poor. Many of my countrymen will assail me for talking out loud. Just keeping it real. By the way, employees should be glad they still have a job. If the worst they are experiencing is getting paid on time, tings good. Offer thanks and praise to the Father. You are blessed.
What happens in dark will come to light !
-Management
. Over the years,consider the amount of bank interest the Gov has forfeited by paying them a week early. No blogging and hoopla for joy did we hear.
Okay, so I might be wrong for that, but this department kills the government pocket more than any other. All i see is out dated marketing tacktics, airlines and hotelier in the BVI are doing a better job marketing the BVI than them. Social media is the new age, tell me why they have staff operating in major cities around the world. Bring them back home from spending all our taxs money keeping them afloat. Paying their, rent and travel expenses. Why? We have to delvelope a new marketing scheme that will make the BVI unlike any other destination, everything now is dying. But they seem to still be spending big!
The 'executives' don't mind pulling this last minute stunt since their salaries Big And their allowances bigger and whatever bonus they managed to tie into their contracts keeps them well good. Their FC up in NY getting extra $1500 a month...that's what we need to discuss. Fraser raise it HOA, tax payers paying attention! If she want to live it up there shouldn't be at tax payers expense! Who sends a comptroller to manage a sales team- no wonder that office still can't function right. Had a big marketing consultant paying yet still paying to house a finance person to pretend they know tourism and sales. What a joke!
Allowances for most Board employees are nothing new ... You all don't complain as loud because the rest of them are your friends and don't have the guts to tell you "no" when a "no" is deserved.
But that's okay, she's living her life open and accountable. Be careful what you wish for because when it is all said and done, she is happy and wishing the same for you!
getting payment , looks like it's
full of internal conflict. Perhaps if the staff had
opportunities to voice concerns and dialogue with management they wouldn't voice to the media.
Leaders pay attention , if all was well your laundry wouldn't be aired for all to view. if it was always a courtesy to pay advanced before Xmas you should continue or given notifications a couple weeks in advance at the least . This is just fair to your staff and especially during the season.
Did anyone listen to the Premier response to Frazer in the last hoa? About why the FC is in New York? What a load of nonsense the Premier mumbled. He didn't appear to even believe the crap he was reading. The prepared statement from the Director. NDP must go.
Notice how you stop saying she's in School? Oops, that WAS you????
Perhaps she needs to start dropping dimes...ting to talk.
Let's get the information to the people!!!