VI reportedly puts ‘hold’ on Haitians seeking work in Territory
Virgin Islands News Online has since received information that there is some accuracy to the reports.
Work permits denied
According to one of the concerned Haitians, who asked that his name not be published, reports of the ban have been widespread of late and a family member of his has also been affected.
According to the Haitian man, who has been living and working in the Virgin Islands for well over a decade, a relative of his applied twice for a work permit but was rejected on both occasions.
The man said the two applications were for employment with different contractors, adding that the affected family member is skilled for the job he was being hired for.
“The contractors were willing to hire him but the work permits were denied with no reason given. It’s hard for Haitians to get work permits,” the man lamented.
Asked why he felt Haitians were finding it hard to get work permits,” the man said: “Haitians always try to travel to go to the next door (USVI) and maybe they think everyone wants to come to the BVI to do that.”
The man argued that not every Haitian should feel the heat for persons bent on flaunting the laws.
“My family have no intentions to do anything illegal,” the man said, adding that his relative is skilled to do the job he was being hired for. “He can tile, he is a mason, mechanic, drives trucks and has no criminal record.”
No ban just a ‘hold’
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Labour Commissioner, Janice I. F. Rymer did not respond to our request for information on the reports.
An official close to the situation; however, confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online that work permits are being withheld for Haitian nationals at this time.
The source further said they “would not describe it as a ban but there is a hold on Haitians coming to the BVI because there was a history of their documents being forged.”
Virgin Islands News Online will continue to gather information on this story and update our readers accordingly.
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49 Responses to “VI reportedly puts ‘hold’ on Haitians seeking work in Territory”
If you cannot wait then go back to your country. If the Government bow to your request, then everyone will be coming to the Territory seeking employment and their request will be granted immediately without having a due diligence done.
Haitians are hardworking and honest people. You never hear that they involve in killing, raping ,drugs ,guns ,fraud, gangs in the bvi. Common, without brandishing any light on my kittians brothers ,jamaicans, vincis ,trinis Dominicans and the santos !!! THINK ABOUT IT. ANY REASON ??????
We as black people, we are our own evil . We discriminate against one another . Our forefathers were shipped in the same boat from Africa . They suffered the same pain and torture. They died and threw in the Atlantic as bit to catch fish ,to feed ferocious dogs. They were sold like merchandise, worked in the farm like animals with chain on the feet and NECK . Today in the 21st century we want to inflict the same pain to our brothers and treat them the same way that our forefathers were treated by their masters . We are one race ,one people, thrown on different islands and used by different European powers.
Remember no matter where you come from the caucasian would always consider us as blacks. White always embraces white no matter where they came from . BLACK BROTHERS WAKE UP AND RESPECT OUR BROTHERS!
Where is it written in the Constitution of the Virgin Islands that Her Majesty's government must approve a work permit for a person who does not belong to the Virgin Islands?
Her Majesty's government does not have to give any explanation for denying someone a work permit.
There is nothing discriminatory about that.
Working in the BVI is not a fundamental right and freedom in the VI Constitution.It's a privilege that has been extended to nonbelongers.
Just because something make news,people should criticize the government?
Absolute non-esence!