I will take decisive action against discriminatory charter companies
Deputy Premier and Labour Minister Lorna Smith said she would take action if it is shown that locals are being disenfranchised in the charter yacht industry.
Smith was questioned by Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull over an apparent refusal by charter yacht companies to hire local captains, chefs, and crew.
He added that there has been a shift in the number of locals being employed or allowed to be on charters as compared to persons who may be on work permits or contracted.
“I remain dedicated to partnering with the charter industry to ensure its continued vitality and prosperity within our economy. However, I will not hesitate to take decisive action against any charter company found to be engaging in discriminatory practices against local captains, chefs, and crew members,” Smith told lawmakers recently.
The Deputy Premier explained that, although she has not been provided with hard data indicating any recent instability and employment figures, she was aware of complaints lodged by persons employed in the sector. According to Smith, these complaints are currently undergoing resolution through mechanisms established under the Labour Code.
“I acknowledge that within our community, there exists a perception that local captains, chefs, and crew may not be receiving the same opportunities as those on work permits. I am digging deep to find the facts so that we can address this issue fully,” Smith stated.
The Deputy Premier expressed that the government is committed to ensuring that those in the sector are afforded fair and equitable employment prospects within the charter industry.
Smith further disclosed that the government is exploring options, such as expanding training and skill development programmes administered by the HLSCC, aimed at supporting Virgin Islanders who aspire to pursue careers in the marine industry.
She also indicated that there are plans to establish a labour management system with a database of local talent, who are actively seeking employment, complimented by a job matching platform.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Sometimes it’s the guests, they request white crew. But the companies should not accept such racial requests. Go under cover and test them!
I agree with the Minister 100%. Such discriminatory practices should not be allowed to take root in this country. The Charter Companies are wrong if they allow this to happen and they should be taken to task. This is not the 1940 and 50s and this is not America. Racism has no place in the VIs.
I bet she won’t? Who taking this bet. Lorna is brilliant all you need is to speak the poor people language and don’t upset your POWERFUL friends. Whites with money is always > than poor locals.
Let’s not go any further and look for the root of the matter.
The behavior of the local employee, they need discipline, etiquette and protocols, this is the key to the issue.
Pure old talk!
Unfortunately a lot of us are just not suitable to the job, many see the money and that’s the reason for getting into the industry, although some might have the boat driving skills that is not all charter companies want, they need someone with proper hospitality skills as well. I don’t think there is anything racial in this whatsoever and I think it is more of a training issue from young. Just my two cents.
What ever happened to earning your stripes and climbing the career ladder?
In what industry do you finish basic education and direct into the top job?
Why are our elected officials so out of touch with reality?
Ok since we are on this topic. I heard labour department made a raid at nanny cay on one Sunday. Why only one charter company was targeted. It have lots of others with persons working without work permit especially that one in east end but labour department not raiding it why? Do they have favouritism which to raid and which not to? They same one east not hiring locals they telling them no job even if those locals youths asking just for weekend work to wash boats etc.but they have persons of one particular nationality whom should have already have a job with someone coming and work. Aren’t those person supposed to work for their own employers?
Not just crew feeling the strain the staff too. So please look into the staff issues too. This includes dock staff etc.
Perhaps we should address the elephant in the room here, when a professional goes for a job interview in the civilized world, every candidate has to first prove they are qualified before gaining said interview. Then, the interviewing entity will then seek to employ the most qualified candidate, which, is standard practice in a non discriminatory society. The local candidates in question here will not be the best qualified professionals, and, unfortunately, will that’s the extent of the problem.
It is hoped that her words turn into actions and visible and tangible results.
Discrimination came to the Virgin Islands in and around 1960.
Regrettable, the local have been on the foul side of the discriminatory nature of the people who owns and controls the business industry for a very long time.
What the respectable lady has articulated is a long living cancer in our neck of the woods, and many business industries who make millions in our home, pays out very little to locals, and in other ways and forms discriminate against them.
This has been a very long and critical problem in the society because governments have never protected their local people from the scourges of racism, racial hiring practices and other known harmful practices. .
Happy such insidious human practices are finally being addressed. It is about someone began looking our for us in a real sense. We are beyond deserving.
We are human too.
If they are not qualified or don’t do a good job, why would we want them interfacing with guests on their expensive vacation?
I bet there is some racism in some cases but here is one big difference with these foreign crews – they are people who have travelled the world, they are interested in the world and not just their own village. In hospitality, that makes them preferable. They interact well with guests and learn all kinds of cuisines, etc. to please their customers – and that’s the most important thing – it is the product being sold. Unhappy guests, no business.
If BVI captains and crews went to work the Mediterranean season, learned languages, enjoyed learning from other cultures and accepted that we are all humans struggling through life and not entitled to anything if we don’t do our job well enough, this would not be an issue. BVI people are so focused on our little corner you would think the rest of the world was another planet and everyone in it is a hateful racist. Nail the racists businesses hard, turn away racist guests, but BVI hospitality people, enjoy your work and meeting outsiders, as a way of growing and learning and you will be in high demand among good charter businesses.
Additionally, most of the captains will have spent a lifetime on the water, will know how to swim, as well as have other water sport skills, based on extensive life experience. They need to be able to get a struggling guest out of the water, etc.
the BVI Crewed Charter Yachts generally employ captains with experience far beyond what licensing trains and tests for! In some cases they may also actually own the vessel!
Why do some people think that after getting entry level training, someone should not start at an entry level job, but should walk into a high level job with little relevant experience and few peripheral skills?
A US Masters license, in order to be valid outside the US, requires a minimum of 720 days at sea, in addition to the training and testing. That is not the same as going to the college, and then walking in to a charter company, off the street.
If Lorna really wants to help, she needs to start by initiating programs to get lots of kids swimming, and doing things aimed at this career path, from an early age!
Luarna in the Corna fighting blindfolded with a loaded gun. Oh oh, who getting shot by mistake?
The industry needs technical and hospitality skills. Those working in the marinas need to accept varying hours, often at weekends and odd times. Any suitable Belonger will be employed over a work-permit holder if they have the right skills and attitude. So, the problem is one of skills and attitude, not nationality.
FREEZE ISSSUANCE OF CAPTAIN WORKPERMITS
Hahahah this is the stupidest comment I have ever seen. You do that and you loose the 2nd biggest industry this country has.
LIKE CONRAD MADURO WHO WASN’T AFRAID TO PROTECT LOCALS
Companies are interested in having the best qualified for the job ,the best suited and for only one reason. Survival and profit for their investment.
BVI is well known worldwide for having rude hospitality workers. Most locals are just not suited for the job.
Nearly all the charter boat companies now have a base in the USVI thanks to the pandemic in 2020.
So if a BVI politician threatens a BVI charter company then it will just shift its charters to the USVI. So a double loss for the BVI: No job for a rude young BVI captain and no charter group spending their money in the BVI.
It’s not discrimination It’s BUSINESS.
The local skippers I have seen so far drive too fast , have terrible. Seamanship skills and are an embarrassment to the profession. Lorna Smith is about to kill the golden goose. They need better training , better manners and skilsets are essential. This isn’t a racism issue it’s simple skills and seamanship that are lacking .
We need a union. The BVI Marine association only looks after bosses interests. There is a group on facebook Captains ask your friends. join up leh we take back the reigns