Gov’t very pleased! Smith defends online work permit system
Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Lorna Smith, has defended the Labour Management System (LMS), stating that the platform has significantly improved the work permit process in the Virgin Islands.
The LMS was launched a year ago while Smith served as Labour Minister. The system modernises the work permit process by allowing job seekers to review and submit applications online, apply for permits, schedule interviews, record results, and communicate directly with prospective employers.
During the July 3 sitting of the House of Assembly, Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn criticised the LMS, particularly the requirement for employers to pay for new work permits upfront. He argued that this creates additional financial strain on businesses that are already struggling.
In response, Smith stood by the system, stating that both the government and Labour Department staff are pleased with the improvements it has brought.
“The Leader of the Opposition made mention of the LMS, and I would like to say how pleased this government is that we have the LMS. It’s a modern system where work permits no longer take months or years to be approved. It’s now done in weeks,” Smith said pointedly.
She acknowledged that further improvements may be needed but said the system is flexible enough to accommodate changes.
“The one thing I think we need to do with the LMS is to put up some Frequently Asked Questions because I have heard a number of persons complain about things that could be answered in that section. I’m sure our technical people will be working on that, and I just want to say how much we welcome the LMS that has improved the labour system in the territory,” Smith stated.
The LMS also allows employers to register their businesses and employees, post job listings, and manage recruitment online. Job seekers, in turn, can upload CVs and apply for positions directly through the platform.
Ahead of the system’s launch on July 1, 2024, more than 70 employers across Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and Virgin Gorda were trained in its use.
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Don’t wanna hear nothing from she until they explain why it had 5 million dollars of taxpayer money in bank of Asia despite everything that was going on with bank of Asia. We not going to forget so hurry up with the investigation/ explanation. # walkwiththat #yougoinneedthat
What happened to our 5 Million dollars that went into Bank of Asia that you were the chairman of? First BVI Airways then this? We need answers. Full investigation needed.
Every time them Anguillans get in a position of power millions does vanish in some kinda belly up scandal.
AND WHEREAS unemployment in the Territory is extremely high, particularly among young people, and the Government has failed to address this issue in a sustainable way despite numerous requests from the public and Members of the Opposition to do so.
The system is a good one but until they develop an online payment platform then it defeats the purpose. Going into that cramped area just to pay $50 in person for each application makes no sense after spending all that time submitting information on line. Get the online payment up and running then we can talk. Otherwise, I would say the process moves a bit quicker especially for renewals.
The learning curve is large… Takes a while to figure out the kinks in a system whose only design input came from bureaucrats.
It has many flaws.
Where is our $5,000,000,000.
Who authorised the transfer?
Why do they still have a job?
Why are you still a Minister?
Why does the Finances Minsister still have a job? (He could get repurposed as a Flight Attendant with his experience.)
Why does the Premier still have a job? (He could get repurposed as a Flight Attendant with his experience.)
Where is our $20,000,000 it just disappeared money?
Where is out $7,000,000,000?
Where is our $8,000,000,000 Sewage project money?
Where is our $6,000,000,000 Greenhouse money?
$olar project?
%ponners estate project?
$eacows Bay Team Fraser Landfill project?
Where is our $3,000,000,000 from the last 8 years budgets, it is not invested in the VI infrastructure?
you have too many zeros in your numbers
I swear that Lorna Smith has no shame. She betrayed NDP the morning after election by joining VIP who had cursed her in the campaign saying she old. They turn around and fired her tail. She cuss the government for the time she was on the opposition. She beg back and they gave her a junior position calling it minister of state to make her feel important now she is singing their praises again. I want back my vote and our 5 million dollars please and thanks.
More than a year since it launched and still no online payment system, shameful.
GBM losing their minds because the 5M talk is getting ZERO TRACTION! Blogging everywhere will not help. The relevant authorities are dealing with BOA. Let them do their job!
You clearly have not been reading the news today. The application is now public, damning, and the international media has already weighed in. Everything of substance that GBM reported has proved true.
Did anything came out of BVI Airways 7Mil? even though it was a Subject before the COI? NADA, Nothing. Do you expect anything to come out of BOA 5Mil? NADA, Nothing. This has been a Game for these Players throughout their Lives. Nothing New. These are Shameless Pigs. What is soo Sad, the Party Boy has been Adopted and Groomed well. They are all in it together. But Guess What, Karma is a Bitch!! The Old Mill may be Grinding Slow, But it Grinding Still. Only Time will Tell. Prophet Fire will soon be out with another Script. Stay Tuned.
The entire labor system in the BVI in too slow and now the online system they implemented makes it even worse. Civil servants please make an honest effort to do the jobs you all are being paid to do. Just point blank lazy
Labour is functioning a better and Trade is moving backward. Why is a Trade License application taking over 6 months. It is either yes or no and this is the reason. Ridiculous Man!!