Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Work Permit Waiver for Skilled Workers Programme discontinued

- Grace period of 3 months given for employers to regularise their workers’ status
The Work Permit Waiver for Skilled Workers Programme, which was instituted following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria for needed skilled workers to enter the Territory by following a special variation of the work permit process, has been discontinued. Photo: VINO/File
The Skilled Workers Programme allowed employees quick entry into the Territory to assist in the recovery process following the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and avoid having to wait for the usual work permit process to be undertaken. Photo: VINO/File
The Skilled Workers Programme allowed employees quick entry into the Territory to assist in the recovery process following the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 and avoid having to wait for the usual work permit process to be undertaken. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Cabinet has decided to discontinue the Work Permit Waiver for Skilled Workers Programme, which was instituted following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria for needed skilled workers to enter the Territory by following a special variation of the work permit process.

The decision was made when Cabinet met on April 30, 2019 in the Premier’s Conference Room, Central Administration Complex on Wickham’s Cay 1, Tortola.

According to a Cabinet post meeting statement today, May 9, 2019, Cabinet decided to discontinue the Work Permit Waiver for Skilled Workers Programme, effective April 30, 2019.

The statement further informed that a grace period of three (3) months following the effective date of discontinuance, which is to be no later than July 15, 2019, be given for employers in possession of previously issued valid Work Permit Waivers for Skilled Workers, to complete the processing of his/her prospective employees.

Powers released from Labour Minister

Cabinet also decided that persons wishing to import skilled workers should revert to the existing work permit processes with the Labour Department.

Under the Skilled Workers Programme, employers had to submit a request for a work permit waiver in writing to the Minister responsible for Labour.

The Skilled Workers Programme allowed employees quick entry into the Territory to assist in the recovery process and avoid having to wait for the usual work permit process to be undertaken.

It is unclear how many Work Permit Waivers were granted under this programme.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Meeting on April 30, 2019 was chaired by His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who chaired the first half of the meeting, and Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who chaired the meeting to conclusion.

8 Responses to “Work Permit Waiver for Skilled Workers Programme discontinued”

  • GG (09/05/2019, 19:18) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    By this should we infer that the govt has concluded there are enough skilled workers in the Territory to complete the necessary repairs from damage from 18 month's ago? Maybe, if we're targeting 2025-2030 to be finished. Seems to me the idea is to get the place rebuilt fast, not just rebuilt whenever people get around to it.
  • susan (09/05/2019, 19:41) Like (39) Dislike (5) Reply
    THIS PLACE ONLY NEED SKILL WORKERS IT IS TIME TO SET SOME SORT OF STANARED IN THIS PLACE WE CANNOT EXCEPT ALL KIND OF PEOPLE IF WE DO THEN WE WIIL REGRET IT. THE IMMIGRATION DEPT SHOULD DO A PROPER BACK GROUND CHECK BEFORE GIVING THEM OKAY TO REMAIN HERE TO WORK. AND THEY SHOULD BE TOLD THEY ARE COMING TO WORK NOT TO BRING A FAMILY WE HAVE ENOUGH BURDEN ON HEALTH AND EDUCATION WE CANNOT AFFORD IT NOW.
  • m n m (09/05/2019, 21:25) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    The program was another of kedrick give a ways . Check two former ndp ministers and see how much they had in their businesses claiming to be skilled
  • @susan (10/05/2019, 14:27) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    So true, you are correct and I agree totally. There’s a lot of them not working. You can see right by Virgin Queen in the mornings, it’s really terrible. Some men only working week on week off what kind of stupidness is this and them really want to bring more. My gosh what is happening in this place.
    • Rasta Live (11/05/2019, 18:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      we need serious immigration reform in the BVI so many people here not gainfully employed I was made to understand people are granted time to look another job although the job market in the BVI is smaller following 2017


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.
CG Insurance Office Move


Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.