BVITB upheaval! Strike threats amid insurance debacle
Amid reports of disgruntled staff at the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) and a strike threat at their New York office, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has assured persons that he continues to have an open-door policy.
The strike issue, which reportedly arose over insurance coverage for employees not being renewed, has since been addressed, Premier Wheatley related at a recent press conference.
“I was communicated to on that particular issue (insurance coverage) and I believe this was (Thursday) or the day before and it’s being resolved, as I understand it, which I’m grateful for,” the Premier told reporters.
Dr Wheatley said he understood the seriousness of the challenge and insisted that the government does not want anyone to go without insurance coverage.
“I had a conversation with the (BVITB) Director and I was reliably informed that it was being addressed and the New York office confirmed that they were contacted,” the Premier added.
I have no reports of disgruntled staff
In the meantime, the Premier said he was unaware of reports of dissatisfied staff at the BVITB who had expressed concerns over the stewardship of that entity and also about allegations of constant infighting between its Director and Deputy Director.
Staff at the BVITB have reportedly complained that infighting between the two has made them feel demoralised and has seen the BVITB becoming stagnant, allegedly as a result of the pair’s divisive actions.
“I don’t know about any persons at the Tourist Board who are disgruntled with leadership or anything like that,” the Premier said.
He added: “So, you know, persons, if they are disgruntled and they want to speak to the new Board about it or they want to speak to me as Minister of Tourism, I have an open door policy. Anybody can come and speak to me about anything under my portfolio.”
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Would anyone notice if they went on strike? Do they do anything useful? The entire TB sèems to be oversfaffed for what they do.
but you are the Minister of Tourism so it is your JOB to know about all these problems and the SOLVE them! Ignorance is no excuse!
Has anyone noticed that he never knows anything even when they are under his ministry? What is he really doing for taxpayers money?
So these overpaid, wutless, useless ppl are being given US health insurance?? Ahyo sleep BVIslanders ain’t see dah??! While weh ketching h*l! wid NHI?! Well sah…ahyo keep asking dah wrong questions
He sit there and let the head coach appoint his cl**less puppet as tourism board director. What he expect now. Of course they will strike and be disgruntled, of course there will be fighting. How will you fix it?
Truth! Set of made up titles. Everybody feel they need to be a manager.
@oneneedstoknow this is why you don’t get paid well. Because you are ignorant. Do you know the laws? Those people aren’t allowed, but US and BVI law to access NHI if working in the USA…dummy. Stop being a crab in a bucket!
Premier is supposed to be updated by his Permanent Secretary (PS). Some persons forget that the PS’s are very powerful persons and they are the ones who actually run the ministries on a day-to-day basis with updates and decisions to be made by the Ministers.
ITS PART OF OUR CULTURE AND PLUS WE ARE ENTITLED , SO AH-YO CAN TALK , WE DONT GIVE 2 SH*T , AS LONG AS WE GETTING PAID , SO WHO DON’T LIKE CAN LEAVE , THE COACH AIN’T COMPLAINING SO WHY SHOULD YOU
So please name the Director & Deputy Director. Poor reporting here!
Wtf, why do they have an office in NYC… oh yeah jobs for the cousins.
Some of the comments highlight exactly what is wrong with the BVI and why we will never get out of this mess no matter who we elect! While the Premier is Minister of Tourism and should be briefed on any developments, are we going to let the board, director, deputy director, managers, HR, accountants and others off the hook with this? If something requires Government sign-off etc. fine, but the management of the board is BY THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVES!!! Now we see why civil servants and stat board employees don’t give a f**k, they can do whatever they want and the politician will be blamed while they sit around collecting lavish salaries. The only way the BVI will be better is when there is a proper crack down on the civil service and people are held accountable. Ever wonder why nothing has changed in the past 25 years despite electing different parties/people? Look deeper and you will see!!!
What is he really doing? He globetrotting sir. Cayman – UK – USVI the list goes on and on as the bill for travel goes up and up. All the problems we have here and Slow Andy always seems to be somewhere else…
Director is Clive McCoy and Deputy Director is Rhodni Skelton
This report borders on libelling both Director and Deputy.
@Sniffin, I live in NYC and I will be researching how many family members and who is related to whom back in the BVI.
lieing dead weight
the Ministers still running the Ministry
They too entitled and ungrateful! Let them strike! They all need to come home from up there pretending to be Americans. Don’t get me started!
ITS THE POLITICIANS WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE RUNNING THE COUNTRY , SO WHO ELSE IS SUPPOSED TO GET THE BLAME ❓
Working for the TB is like an extended vacation with pay.
Thank you!
They all need to be sent home. Up there living lavish on government allowances and still want more. TB isn’t obligated to pay them anything I’m sure but they believe the deserve everything for doing nothing.
They are not eligible for NHI. So would you have them go uninsured?
Day you don’t understand tourism or what the Sales Team is responsible for but hyms about them but don’t anything or living lavish. You are ignorant and don’t have any idea. Crab in Bucket you are.
“I don’t know about any persons at the Tourist Board who are disgruntled with leadership or anything like that,” the Premier said.”
Do you know about any persons at the ‘Culture Department’ who are disgruntled with leadership or anything like that Premier? Act clueless… many of us have been complaining to you for years as a Minister and now the Premier but you are for who you’re for!
Government should conduct an audit on both departments. Let’s see how clueless he would be then?
NOT TRUE.. “I have an open door policy. Anybody can come and speak to me about anything under my portfolio.” I have called and called and tried and tried to get an appointment to come see you since May 2022. Call back promised by Ms. Crawford but still has not come….
Let them go on strike… I doubt it’s gonna have much impact on tourism in the bvi
1/ Are they effective? 2/ Are we getting returns and value for monies invested?..3/ If they are employees of the BVI govt they should be on NHI just like us.. Some people think they are just there on vacation not really working and been highly paid.
What’s going on with this apt in Miami that BVI tax payers are paying for, over 6 months the deputy promise to get back to us, we still waiting ..The BVI media letting the BVI govt off the hook, it’s because the media is week why the BVI is sinking in wrong doings .
Oh please! The same sales team who always home and hiding out in the BVI? Come again!
Premier it is time for you to nip the issues in the butt. Do you really think that staff are not disgruntled at the BVITB, trust me things are not always what they seems. The Director needs to be relocated to another ministry. He is not cut out to lead such a diversified Organization. There are a lot you to be aware of. Managers lies and covers. Speak to everyone, not just Managers. I am sure you will be electrocuted out of your chair from the earful you will hear. It’s time to take lead premier! It’s time for change Premier! I am looking forward to seeing you going down in the history books because of the move that needs to happen because everyone was afraid to do it. Think Premier! Get in Tourist Board and fix it once and for all!
How would you know? They are not eligible for NHI since they work in another country. Duh!
Any staff members under the hr director, senior marketing manager, product development manager and film commission director is catching hell in the BVITB
Staff members are treated like them in jail. BVITB staff members are divided. Upper management speaks to other staff members like them is their children, upper management sends other staff members some very unpleasant emails
Only staff members who kisses a** or carry back news to the Director gets move up or whatever they want
Many staff members are suffering under very poor management in the BVITB