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Vetting provision will discourage locals from applying for certain jobs- Hon Walwyn
Hon Walwyn was giving his contribution to the debate during the Seventeenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, August 1, 2024, following the bill's second reading.
Bill targets Customs, Immigration Department and His Majesty's Prison Officers
The bill, which was one of the recommendations stemming from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report, is to amend the Service Commissions Act (No. 8 of 2011) which seeks to allow for the vetting of specified officers in the Public Service in addition to including in the functions of the Commissions the power to vet, or cause to be vetted, specified officers, or applicants for a post in the public service.
According to the bill, the departments and offices subject to vetting are HM Customs, the Department of Immigration and His Majesty’s Prison.
"Customs and Immigration have been two areas where our local people have gravitated to and the level of scrutiny that they’ll be subjected to, Madam Speaker, I see that dwindling away. I see it dwindling away and other people coming from other places filling those positions," Hon Walwyn said.
He added that one must be smart and pay attention to what is happening as there are many "back doors" to get to the end destination; however, though intentions may be good, the people may end up being displaced.
Virgin Islanders are a 'private' people- Hon Walwyn
"We are private people, I see it every day and most of the Members in here see it," Hon Walwyn said.
Giving an example, he said the people now prefer to "stay and do without" than to subject themselves to go to Social Development Development for assistance since funds were redirected there.
"That is just who we are as people. And when you see the level of scrutiny, Madam Speaker, that officers will be subjected to a lot of people not going to get involved in it. You have a husband and wife, the wife applies for a job with Customs and the husband has to give he whole business? That is what is happening in this Bill...it even go as far as children who are 10 years, about 10 or above years, that you have to account for them in the vetting form," Hon Walwyn continued.
According to him, the people of the VI had placed a "high premium on privacy" not because they seek to hide anything but because that is who they are.
"When you put that high premium on privacy, this vetting legislation and the regulations and the application form, the vetting form that goes along is almost tantamount to constructive dismissal for people who take privacy seriously," Hon Walwyn said.
He added that if he was to join the service with this new vetting process he would rather not join.
While some may say there is nothing to worry about if interested parties are not engaging in anything wrong, Hon Walwyn defended his stance by saying "you have a right to privacy".
It boils down to trust- Premier Wheatley
In presenting the bill to the HoA, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said, "The bedrock of any secure and prosperous society is trust. Trust that our laws are enforced with integrity, fairness and unwavering dedication to justice."
He added that in recent times challenges have emerged challenging this trust and therefore it is "our duty to address them head-on" and so the Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is a critical step towards "fortifying the public's confidence in those who protect and serve".
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22 Responses to “Vetting provision will discourage locals from applying for certain jobs- Hon Walwyn”
THE WIGGED ONE KNOW SOMETHING WE DON'T _// ???? ???? \\_ OR AS SKELIE SAID , " THE COI IS CAUSING SOME SIDE EFFECTS " IN THE BRAINS OF SOME OF US WANNABE ARISTOCRATS ○¿○
In the Biblical Book of Jeremiah Chapter 17, verse 5 reads as follows: The Lord says, cursed is the man that trusted in man, and make flesh his arm (strength, defence).
But the Topic Issue is about vetting provision will discourage locals from applying for certain jobs. If this practice is enforce, it will be very unfair to our native born people, and will leave us no choice but to fight against all injustices, Spiriually, mentally and physically with all our God-given strength. Right is highest power, not power the highest right. God our Creator and Father is the central being of righteousness, not human being.
The Lord says, Curse be the man that trusted in man, and make flesh his arm (strength, defence), and whose heart (mind, loyalty) departed from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5.
Well yes what does he have to hide?.
"the people of the VI had placed a "high premium on privacy" not because they seek to hide anything but because that is who they are."
We will trust when we vet, our old premier taught us that.
VETTING close family members from the standpoint of conflict of interests is proper. No need to get all up into other people's business if no conflict of interest!!!!