‘Born-here degree’ doesn’t give right to contracts — Malone
Being of local pedigree is unlikely to assist contractors in securing future projects when the government’s proposed Public Procurement Act becomes law.
This is according to government legislator Carvin Malone who debated the bill before the House of Assembly yesterday, November 1.
Malone said as the BVI becomes more compliant with international practices, “A ‘BHD’ — a born-here degree — doesn’t give you the right solely for the approvals of procurement, they have to follow the rules”.
He said this is especially so in instances where funding was coming from non-local funds.
The statement served as a stark but introspective commentary on the status quo that exists in the BVI.
Notwithstanding his comment about ‘born here’ entitlements, the government minister said, “we (the BVI) must never get into the practice of being so modern that your very own people are left out of the mix”.
He said this was something that was being keenly examined, even at the draft stages of the bill, to ensure, “that we don’t modernise our people out of their ability to participate — whether it is with the supply of goods or the supply of services.”
Minister Malone said this was critical in terms of building capacity for the BVI‘s people.
“We must assist our people to get them up on the table,” Malone urged.
Commendations to Premier’s Office, RDA
Meanwhile, Malone lauded the efforts of units within the Recovery & Development Agency (RDA) and the Premier‘s Office which were offering guidance on procurement practices for contractors.
In developed countries, Malone pointed out, some jobs needed to be bonded at a rate of 100%. This meant that jobs with high ranges, particularly those in the millions, would automatically price out small contractors.
Malone cautioned that if the BVI does not set rules which keep with international best practices with its people involved, then they will remain excluded from profits that come from lucrative projects.
The minister said he appreciated the fact that legislators can examine procurement methods in an effort to level the proverbial playing field.
He added that those persons that have proven themselves already should be given all necessary assistance to get their paperwork in order so they can continue to build a BVI of which all can be proud.
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He already got his so he can talk that s**t now!
They all filling their pockets as fast as they can cause they know the COI is going to remove. That’s why the Foy going to pay the Blonde Bab**on legal bill. They just don’t care cause they only have a few months.
Lololol…..
BHD means BELONGERS HAVE DOMAIN
Bids go to belongers, no matter the price, contracts are no bid and government kick backs are the norm.
Nothing to see here
Carry on
I like the part where he said “a born-here degree — doesn’t give you the right solely for the approvals of procurement, they have to follow the rules”.
As a BVIslander I laugh when some BVIslanders I work with express this sense of entitlement even when they are not qualified in any shape or form and then they get bitter and angry when a qualified expat get the position. Matter of fact some feel the application process is not applicable to them when their is a job opening at a higher level than they are. It leaves me speechless.
Very true Thomas words well say
… when some BVIslanders and Belongers …
Oh the irony!!!! Tell this to your Labour Minister as well!!!!
Exactly…should apply in all aspects.
b.s
He does not need to tell the Labour Minister anything. If people are so qualified why migrate to look for jobs. There must be jobs at home they qualify for as well. The Labour Minister is on the right track. One must look after his own before looking after others otherwise his country will become a welfare state.
Because there are too much qualified people in some countries so they migrate where there are less qualified ones.. lol its quite competitive outside the BVI darling..
It’s competitive everywhere but only in the good old BVI can a firmer chef get a work permit to head a trust company and be trained by those deemed unqualified. That speaks volume for the heads of state.
You would be surprised how many BVIslanders are living and working abroad. You sound really STUPID right now! If you live somewhere else in the Caribbean and you see a position open somewhere else, you are eager to experience something different, the money is more, the position is great and you are qualified. Why not make the move? Do you think that all migrants are poor people seeking refuge? Of course there are migrants in the low income bracket that would seek lower level jobs but there are also many who are qualified top level workers and migrate for various reasons, it’s not always because they are starving. You also seem to exclude the fact that many local business owners are actively recruiting workers overseas to fill posts that they are unable to fill locally. If I want to set up a nail spa, hairdresser, barber, AC tech company, wood work shop right now, are you saying I can fill all those posts locally? Most of the locals with those skills already have their own business. The reality is BVI is very small but has a lot of businesses so migration is a must especially with tourism and financial services.
You are taking things out of context. No one mentioned anything about poor people seeking refuge, but you will know.
Lots of business owners are looking for workers who they could pay minimum wage too. All of a sudden they seem to be advertising in Asia. I thought you had to provide Labour with copies of advertisements. it is obvious that Labour is allowing a lot of nish.
hope he know “born here” does vote
Will the Minister of labour agree that BHD does not give him or the government the right to demand private employers hire unqualified locals over qualified expats just for the sake of hiring to fit into their political agenda?
I support that preference should be given to locals but not where there is undue and deliberate pressure from the Minister/Labour department whilst some others permit are granted without all the necessary requirements
There are lots of unqualified expats in high positions. I know former chefs, nurses, dishwashers in management positions at law firms and trust companies. A lot of work permit holders are no more qualified than Born here but they band together to keep the born here down and some ministers are to gullible to know that.
The argument goes both ways and the reality is that you cannot judge someone solely on their immigration status. There are waste of time locals and waste of time expats when it comes to hiring which is why as a business you look at what the individual brings to the table in terms of attitude, qualifications and their drive etc. Certain businesses may favor a qualified expat due to the fact that the work permit guarantees them a level of security whereas there are instances where locals may find an opportunity and because they’re not on time etc. they just leave you hanging. Rights come with responsibilities and risks.
This guy is a real j**k! Lets see where all is CBE contracts were granted. In BVI or in one of the other islands (where he is not from)?? My point is, we who are qualified expect to be given an equal opportunity in our own country. If we dont stand up to the test then there should be mechanisms to check and balance us.
Go Sit your AZZ down Minister from chatting nonsense!
The culture of entitlement will not change overnight.
The BVI is not different to anywhere else when it comes to “culture of entitlement”. As a BVIslander, I cannot go to any other Caribbean country and work for Government, qualified or not. They will simply not hire me, and many leaders from the Caribbean are not ashamed to let this be known, while the leaders in the BVI continue to call down their people – Stupes!
LOL, the irony he campaigned on this now he as usual is changing his tune.
Boy they keep on suppressing and oppressing the Belongers. Only in the Virgin Islands We find reason to outcast and downplay Our Own. I know many are regretting their Choices at the Poles.
we’re nowhere near either
Too bad this decision didn’t come in time for infrastructural contracts!
Perhaps, we would have had better roads and sewerage systems!
Toooo Baaadd!
Yes we know that and we also know that young local college graduates cannot even find a proper job but work permits are still being issued. So again yes, born here does not get you anything in your home country.
I do not feel it is necessary for Ministers of Government to go on any podium to justify who qualifies for a contract and who does not qualify when it is not appropriate. For some reason they feel pressured into making these types of statements when they are acting and indulging to the contrary. Make sure you practise what you preach and that should apply to your sewerage company sir?
Will this bill apply to public authorities like BVIHSA – because for 2 consecutive years they hire a security firm on a 1 year contract…they know that BVI small and virtually all security firms would need to hire staff specifically to meet the requirements of the contract….these security firms spend so much money for just this 1 year for start up costs on this contract…and at the end of it BVIHSA just up and change to some other security firm…workers are losing their jobs and livelihoods…people on work permit…what is going on up there at BVIHSA? it is foolish to have a 1 year security contract. And now Lesmore apparently has taken over yet ANOTHER government contract. Totally ridiculous and we need to get the COI up in BVIHSA because a lot of nonsense going on…
Ask who insisted it go out to tender when they could hire their own watchmen
Malone you throw hot water in the red Ants nest. They will be all over you..
It is obvious that this dude dont want to represent bvislanders so we must all vote against him
The bit that makes me crazy about this place is the abilities of locals to get construction contracts and then blow right through the budget before completion.
The country is littered with incomplete buildings that sit for years after they go overbudget and the workers leave the site. This isn’t just government buildings by churches and homes.
Please figure out some way to hold these people accountable. The lack of accounting is killing all of us.
You are no help to your own People. Just count one less vote next election. Voting for you was the worse decision I ever made but don’t worry I won’t repeat it.
As a person from the BVI i am disgusted that this type of topic is in the forefront again. most countries look out for its own people. I am sure there are qualified people in the BVI that can carry out those projects and be accountable. Stop the nonsense again. I thought we pass those type of comments. Show us more respect.
He forget to mention that the born here ain’t going take the foolishness some of the outsiders take just to stay here and they can’t threaten the born here like how they do the outsiders.
It is so strange that we have all this talk about who are qualified and who are not when all those at the helm are not. This is the only place where you read the news and such venom comes out of the leaders’ mouths about their citizens. One has to wonder who they were elected to represent and protect and if they want to see all of their citizens become destitute and reliant on them.
Ain’t the same born here who got to train some people who state they qualify for some positions, but they don’t know their head from their foot.
How convenient, Carvin you really one to talk!!! I guess your BHD was in ‘full effect’ during Presidency of VIP when you got paid three (3) times for the same sewerage project up East End and it still was not complete. Wonder why the CoI ain’t dig into that one. NO VALUE FOR F’ING MONEY!
the people of any country always has the first preference , so why all the drama / these actors are only trying trying to create distractions /the ESTEEMED doing it every day so does the wanna be PASTOR etc
Plz MR MINSTER BECAFUL HOW YOU CHANGE THE GAME NOW . BECAUSE IT WAS A GAME .AND CHANGING IT NOW ,CAN BE BIG PROBLEMS ….. CHILDREN LIVE WHAT THEY LEARN ……..
Very important to read or listen — LIKE
The statement served as a stark but introspective commentary on the status quo that exists in the BVI.
Notwithstanding his comment about ‘born here’ entitlements, the government minister said, “we (the BVI) must never get into the practice of being so modern that your very own people are left out of the mix”.
He said this was something that was being keenly examined, even at the draft stages of the bill, to ensure, “that we don’t modernise our people out of their ability to participate — whether it is with the supply of goods or the supply of services.”
Minister Malone said this was critical in terms of building capacity for the BVI‘s people.
“We must assist our people to get them up on the table,” Malone urged.
People are upset that the Minister made the statement about “born here entitlement” in the first place. He too realise it was a mistake so he tried to down play it, but it was a sore that already festered.
The last atlarge candidate said he couldn’t pass laws to protect locals….Where is he now? Out in the cold…Mind yo!
The man is correct. Did you all read and understand what the minister said. My God. Ok, tell me what he said wrong.
We understand every word. He made a derogatory statement and he is tried prettying it up later. They need to stop this born here entitlement talk.
Once they get in and feel comfortable they all changed up .
I do not see anything about poor people in the post. However, The point is if you are so qualified there is a place for you at home. This is the first place where people come with so much qualifications in fields that do not exist where they came from or where they have ever worked such as the financial services industry. It’s all a lie and the Bvi buy into it.
Do you know how much people come to the BVI with no skills and are allowed to garner the experience right here. Then you are correct if certain businesses open doors it is necessary to import labor, and we are aware of that but some make it seem like there are no bvislanders who maintain the necessary skills fir certain jobs. By the way, you forgot to mention if you open a strip club you will definitely need to import labour!
The very minister who started this drama is not qualified to be minister of health. What qualifies him? but there are no advertisements for the position to allow for a qualified doctor or hospital administrator from the Caribbean to apply.
It so true to see that qualifications don’t count in some jibes in the bvi it no wonder only 10%of them can only get sertain positions at the DOS Hospital and the hospital is suffering from the expats leaving so fast after two to four yrs because them don’t get nothing if work longer the system has no benefits after two contracts so where are the BVI ppl to fill these jobs them can’t be seen all leave to go to USA fir the big dollar ?
Yes we leave because the expats who we have to train are telling us we are not qualified. Therefore we go where we are appreciated and valued. We go to the big country with qualified competition and leave the small country for all you qualified people who cannot compete in your large and very qualified country. Is not that ironic?
They go to the US for school, and when they try to return, there are no jobs for them. I can recall 5 very qualified nurses trying to return from the US some years ago, and their applications were not even acknowledged while we continue to import.
We understand every word. He made a derogatory statement and he is tried prettying it up later. They need to stop this born here entitlement talk.
All “born here are entitled” and it may benefit Government in the long run to see to it that they are able to fish for themselves because at some point their entitlement will kick in. (The retirement age is 65, and the entitlement will become mandatory then.)
In the next 20 to 25 years the BVI Social security will be making large deposits to the accounts of a majority who will be expats who returned home and can live well while Government will be left to foot the bills of the entitled born here who cannot take care of themselves because of poor planning and Government’s inability to look out for them.
Where there is no vision the people will perish. When things are allowed to get out of hand, it becomes a bad habit which becomes difficult to change. Government is used to issuing a work permit to every applicant (regardless of the job or the circumstance) now work permit applicants feel entitled just like the born here feel entitled. Interesting topic.
I agree with you 110%. Expats stick together and use qualification and attitude to keep down the Virgin Islander when Virgin Islanders stick together expats call it nepotism and we get a COI. Some of our leaders have no vision they keep letting us down.
Did he tell his brother that?