FRASER: Some expat gov’t employees aggrieved! Still no permanent status after 20 years
At a time when the Fahie administration awarded residency and Belonger status to more than 1,500 unregularised expatriate residents, Third District Representative Julian Fraser has lamented that many expats who have been employed with government for decades are still without any permanent status.
He said the matter should be given some attention and raised the issue while making his contribution to the budget debate at the recent sitting House of Assembly.
“I could not believe for the life of me that there are people out there who have been working for the government for over 20 years and are still not permanent and pensionable,” Fraser said.
“There are persons out there who are aggrieved and are seeking redress. I recall about 18, 19 years ago when that issue was addressed and the way it was addressed is that anyone who was working for government on a daily basis for 10 years or more — provided they met certain criteria — they were afforded the ability to transition into the establishment status,” he added.
Fraser said, as far he is aware, that scenario has been a one-off occurrence.
Change the old laws
In the meantime, the senior legislator said changing the territory’s outdated law is one of the methods that could be used to address the issue.
He said when the issue arose during a recent Standing Finance Committee session, it was revealed that the matter was guided through the legislation. Fraser said this current legislation states that a public officer “can be confirmed [for permanent status] once they are in good standing and have passed the probationary period”.
But according to Fraser, the territory’s Attorney General, Baba Aziz, has said the law should be amended so that those categories of people will now be automatically placed in a ‘permanent and pensionable establishment’.
“This is something I totally agree with. The order is not going to amended unless we establish, as I have suggested, a Public Bills Committee. We need to have legislation in this territory brought up to date into the 21st century,” Fraser said.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
AMEN- So let it be Lord!
The BVI is a Territory of prejudice and racism. It’s amazing to see how much the Belonger hates other Blacks from other islands. You treat them as slaves, steal their money, provide nothing for them yet you expect them to wipe your asses and do your dirty work. You are a hateful people hiding behind the religion of your Masters. Get ready Belongers. You are soon to get what you rightly deserve.
@ Racists….If I could shake your hand I would.
Everyday I give an elderly colleague a lift. She is up there in age and I was so surprised when she said that she’s been here for more than 30 years and has no belonger status. I do not understand. She said recently she applied again and was told some nonsense story about probation etc.
My goodness, the day will not come when humans stop treat humans like pigs.
I was not born here but my relatives were from generations and they do not treat people this way at all.
Because of work I have been to and lived in most of the Caribbean islands and BVI is the only place where I have noticed this happening on such a scale. Its a disgrace. I take it that there are no BVI citizens living and working anywhere else in the world, because their land is so precious. P-L-EASE!!!!
Such a lovely place with so many unwelcoming citizens. Everyone of you will answer to God for this unnecessary persecutions.
Where did this person apply for belonger status and was told about probation? That does not sound right. If the individual is an expat resident for twenty (20) years, consistently, they are qualified to apply for residency status with the Immigration Department. Did they go that route? Just Asking….
I have nothing against a soul, I hate to hear about the hate when ppl talk about expats… we need to love each other. we ourselves are descendants of expats and don’t know, we are all from an island smh. theses so called expats left their home after Irma and came to the virgin islands to help us rebuild, if anything don’t be worthless and ungrateful to the ppl that helped us in our darkest.
Thank you for coming to our shores and giving us your sweat and tears.
one love -nj.
There should be no “Expat government employees” for that length of time period. The Governor changes! Only in the BVI.
What do u mean? If the territory brings in a very good specialist doctor, they should ask him or her to leave after a few years and then u try to see if u could recruit another one if u r unable to recruit one locally? Just trying to understand what u r saying. Same applies to a good teacher, nurse etc.
Hmmm means that expats should not be working for Government.
What do u mean? If the territory brings in a very good specialist doctor, they should ask him or her to leave after a few years and then u try to see if u could recruit another one if u r unable to recruit one locally? Just trying to understand what u r saying. Same applies to a good teacher, nurse etc.
Are these Employees on Contract, or have they applied for BVI Status? Do they feel that they re entitled to Virgin Islands Citizenship or Status because they work for Government? So, really what is their Immigration Status to be working for Virgin Islands Government?
What are “ unregulerised “ expats?
It’s not even English but assumed to be derogatory.
They didn’t have to wait on the Government to regularize them,they can do it for themselves. we like to depend on Government to damn much.
It is perfectly understandable English. It is a huge privilege for expats to be working for our Civil Service, for that is something that will never happen in another Caribbean Island for us as BVIslander at least. Why? Expats were usually under contract and after a certain amount of contracts, that was it. A BVIslander was trained and took over the position, but anything goes now. Why it was that way? Because those are pension jobs that are usually for locals. Poor BVIslanders. They can do anything to us. Imagine BVI Government mailing pension cheques all over the world and the poor old people in the BVI only get a small social security cheque if they are lucky.
That is because in other Caribbean countries after two contracts with the government they are eligible to become citizens.
Really? Will have to research that one. That is a sweet deal and from where I sit not many seem to be taking up that offer. We are 24 square miles, Tortola, at least, and everyone wants to come and stay forever, even though Tortolians are stupid, lazy, can’t hold a job, can[t cook and can’t keep their men happy. Well, at least that’s what some expats who come here say, the ones without manners and gratitude. Someone should tell them about the sweet deal of two contracts and the citizenship. Nice. Those countries have land space so they can fit right in as they have the space and they are worksome, bright sisters and brothers from the Caribbean.
Yes yes let’s add more strain to to the over stretch pension pot lol. Wise idea smart boy. Lol
Fraser looks out for everybody
Fraser need to decide if he coming or going. One minute he fighting locals under threat, the next minute he find expats not getting enough.
So imagine our very own looking out only for expats to get pension, well Hon. Fraser if you do your homework and look out for your own people you will find in every Government Department there are BVI landers working for five, ten, fifteen years or more and have not been put on permanent and Pensionable. WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR US, will the expats come to our rescue ????????
We are one pple. We all bleed the same. I hate this talk of separation. Stop it BVIlanders!
Once you are a BV Islander and works for the the Gov. more than 10 years 0r more it is up to you to apply to the HR to become permanent and pensionable. You check with your Department HR for the forms and full them out. They don’t do it automatically. Please stop putting blame on government when you do not know your Governments Policies or General orders. get a copy of each and read theme and stop commenting Piddle.
every body meaning only people in his district, please tell the truth and shame the devil
It was fraser who made cellphones affordable for you and look where you’re living? In virgin gorda. Ayo said he don’t like outsiders but look he is here fighting for them now! It was he who brought digicel here to assist outsiders calling their loved ones back home at an affordable rates….Go talk that now!
That’s because he gets a piece of the pie! He ain’t no charity I can tell you that! In all he does, you better believe he has his interest first, getting his cut second, and if it helps the little person that is a good third.
Thank you Mr. Roundabout Traffic Light man!
This logical. 1st you say somethings that recognize. But your on the opposite side dont play smart this aint going give you a win cause you no different leopard
Today make exact 15 years in the BVI look pain I’m feeling how I miss this fast track thing all now me still a cryyyyyyyyyy wheeeeeeeee whaaaaaaaa
If they were there so long as you’ve indicated which didn’t they apply during the fast track? Or did they think there be exempted from applying that way and the fairy godmother would have dropped it off for them? Guess they don’t want to pay to get it done. They need to stop the rant and rage like little children now. They should have applied. If they did and didn’t get through well, that’s another thing.
The last part of your statement is the only part that makes sense. You do not know whether they applied or not so stop with your judgmental words.
There are a significant number of people working at the hospital for 15-30 Years and they are being told they are not pensionable. Non of these professionals benefited form the previous regularization although they were eligible at the time. Most of these people are now residents, Belongers and some are even naturalized/citizens of this country and own their homes here but they are still being told they are not pensionable. His Excellency, the governor, Honorable Premier, Minister of Health,Deputy Governor,somebody somewhere must realize this is not right. Please do the right thing for these professionals and make them pensionable.
The way I understand it is that the Hospital is part of a statutory body (BVIHSA) that has its own pension plan. Employees are on contracts with the opportunity to contribute to a pension plan .They are eligible once they become vested.Employment at the hospital does not make you eligible for a government pension unless you were “permanent and pensionable” with the Government before 2005 when the Authority came into being.
This is how these people think of us Hon. Fraser, these are who you are fighting for:
Really? Will have to research that one. That is a sweet deal and from where I sit not many seem to be taking up that offer. We are 24 square miles, Tortola, at least, and everyone wants to come and stay forever, even though Tortolians are stupid, lazy, can’t hold a job, can[t cook and can’t keep their men happy. Well, at least that’s what some expats who come here say, the ones without manners and gratitude. Someone should tell them about the sweet deal of two contracts and the citizenship. Nice. Those countries have land space so they can fit right in as they have the space and they are worksome, bright sisters and brothers from the Caribbean.
They need to stay in their own countries and build up their own place if they claim to be all that, could’nt even afford to buy chicken until they came here and talking about we can’t cook. they always want what the locals have but they can never be locals. Jealous set of people
Mr.Fraser is quite aware that the BVI knows that the economy is not in full bloom further more there are many locals that are not even pensionable.
Uk is on our heals right now …and we can go on & on…
Our laws needs to be paid special attention to. Pension plans needs to be addressed. It needs to have a cut off point on pension plans for a period. I remembered traveling to St.Thomas without an Esta ..now they have requested one..just given an example..When is the BVI going to tighting their laws?
A gentleman from St.Vincent recently told me ..That the BVI is the onliest territory in the Caribbean where you can get a Government job ..and so quickly.
What disturbs me about our Caribbean brothers & sisters many are lamenting on such topic-because they could not make it in there country..now they have great expectations that this Government (The same country that they said is nothing)will come through for them.Be grateful to have a job/s my Caribbean Bro &Sis
Mr. Fraser talking about expats, there are locals in the public system for over 10 years and they’re still temporary.