BVI News

Labour Department needs to flag exploited ‘barmaids’

Talk show host Violet Gaul has suggested that the Labour Department flag persons coming into the territory to work as barmaids, arguing that they often end up in the treacherous hands of abusers once they arrive.

Gaul shared that view on the Talking Points show as guests delved into a discussion on domestic violence before turning to the issue of human trafficking.

During the show, it was explained that young ladies are often brought into the territory under the pretext of working as barmaids, with many of them given promises of improved lifestyles and free accommodation.

However, once they arrive, they are often physically, emotionally and sexually abused and manipulated into becoming sex workers.

“It would seem to me like being a barmaid is a way that they’re bringing them in,” Gaul said. “So, therefore, the Labour Department needs to put a flag on barmaids coming into this country.”

Past President of the Family Support Network, Judith Charles, suggested that if local young women were being beaten up and raped in the same manner as those who were being trafficked, then there may have been a greater uproar over the issue.

Pastor Curnal Fahie said the issue of human trafficking is a dangerous one and requires a multi-agency approach.

Charles related an incident about a woman who delivered a baby sometime after being brought into the territory as a bartender.

The woman’s landlord reportedly refused to let her return to the property because there was a policy in place of ‘no men or babies’ allowed.

“The issue on that was the representative of her employer held her passport,” Charles said. “Because when they bring them, they pay for them to come so now they’re expecting these people to come, work and pay them back the money.”

She continued: “But holding a passport is apparently illegal and that good Christian woman would not give back that passport.”

The representative even refused to return the passport after the intervention of the Immigration Department and the Social Development Department, Charles said.

“She returned it after the girl left and after FSN paid for emergency travel documents for that young woman and her baby,” Charles related.

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48 Comments

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  1. Wondering says:

    You’re telling me that none of the persons saw it fit to get the Police involved? Something is so wrong with all. Clearly the criminal offence of Theft is there.

    Like 30
    • @Wondering says:

      …you know!! Withholding someone’s passport (which is an official State Document in ALL countries) is a serious offence, except where a criminal offence has been committed by the bearer, and the police or Immigration authorities in that jurisdiction where the offence was committed deem it necessary to do so.
      People need to know their rights!

      Like 28
      Dislike 1
      • the watcher says:

        The Immigration Dept themselves illegally withhold passports so you won’t get any help there!

        Like 30
        • @The Watcher says:

          Immigration Department will retain someone’s passport on a whim and will refuse to give a receipt for it. This is the high handed mentality they take to non-Belongers on a daily basis, they enjoy bullying people and intimidating them, it gives them a power-trip

          Like 17
    • Listen says:

      Police, Immigration and Social Development were involved according to guests on the show. None were able to change the situation.

    • Talk truth says:

      This is true someone reach out to me to help this girl and I have to ask for baby clothes to give to her she didn’t have any relative here when I ask about contacting immigration office about getting back her passport they say that already being to immigration and police no one seems to help.

  2. LAPDANCING says:

    I DOES SEE POLITICAL CANDIDATES AND CONSULTANTS WITH THEM ALL THE TIME

    Like 19
    Dislike 1
  3. Tiskk woman wha u talkinq says:

    Tis the Oldest profession in the Book! yee shall make your bread by the sweat of your brow or your crutch jajaja

    Like 9
    Dislike 6
  4. Heck to the yeah says:

    That barmaid thing is a cover for bringing prostitution to the BVI. The women have to work the pole and sell themselves because they have to pay the HEAD SNAKE. TO THE HEAD SNAKE, STOP HIDING BEHIND THE FAMILY NAME AND REVEAL THYSELF.

    Like 21
    Dislike 1
  5. Many reports, nothing done says:

    This is basically all bars.

    Like 6
    Dislike 6
  6. Curacao says:

    has a much better approach by legalizing sex workers there so its all part of their ‘tourist entertainment industry’. So stop all the ‘barmaid’ importing here and let the male customers journey to that Dutch island for their expensive fun.

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  7. BuzzBvi says:

    Preserving VI Christian culture.

    Like 10
  8. this says:

    this is every single spanish bar in the territory , sea cows bay every single bar needs to be shut down as they are all just whore houses also all the clubs except perhaps 2 of the newer ones are the exact same and are promoted as strip clubs

    Like 19
    Dislike 5
  9. Nonvictims says:

    These workers are of age and are well aware and in agreement with expected purpose and
    work duties upon their arrival.it’s their profession.
    A long time scheme orchestrated enabled by Elected male humanity. Problems erupt when they try to change the Contract.
    I recall that first order of business by Fahie when elected Premier was to arrange for direct flight between BVI and DR which facilitated the traffic.much quickerfor tis illegal profession. Not one ever has been arrested and they are allowed to ply their illegal trade in the open 24 seven. And of course we know that prostitution and drug trafficking goes hand in hand.
    When karma hits these VI..human trafficking,drug trafficking murders thieving..hmmm… weep.
    Some of thm marry Tolian men and continue their profession.

    Like 9
    Dislike 2
  10. @ BuzzBvi says:

    Christianity is nothing but satanism. As a matter of fact all Abrahamic religions.

    Like 2
    Dislike 10
  11. ReX FeRaL says:

    It had two Immigrayoon officers not too long ago working there…. those bar owners would have never try holding people passports with those two. But hey…..some nowadays have a fee.

  12. K. C says:

    At Labour department knows all about it.

    Ask him how much of a cut he receives to process those inspections of these bar locations. And how quickly those same Bartender work permits process. Less than a month!!

    The Labour department is the biggest crock of s**t in the place.

    The whole department needs to be cleaned out.

    Like 23
  13. Laughing says:

    It’s easy for people on talk shows who know NOTHING about the street and don’t go ANYWHERE to just sit and talk s**t. Many of the women coming here as barmaids know EXACTLY what they’re coming for. Is there some manipulation going on in some cases? Of course! But to sit and act as though everyone is a victim is laughable and naive. Money runs the route so you can flag all you want, the system will remain. When you find out who are actually sanctioning the importation and employment of these persons then you will understand the magnitude of the problem. Further in terms of holding a persons passport, there are instances where persons seek employment and the employer is the one footing the bill for them to get here, permit, living expenses. I personally know persons who paid in excess of $5k for persons to live/work etc. with an agreement in place to repay monies. After a few months the ‘worker’ makes their money and leave island, leaving the employer with a lost. This is not only in the case of the ‘bar maids’ this happens across industries and there’s no recourse for the employer. Who feels it knows it, the blabber mouths don’t own any business and don’t be around common people so what do they really know about the issues on the street level?

    Like 2
    Dislike 5
    • UnLawful says:

      While you make very valid points (regarding business) it still remains that the law must not be flaunted. Employers have no right to hold employees official travel documents, this is not Kosovo or Kazkstan.

  14. Silent and watching says:

    Not all of them but I can name a few of those same nasty Politicians past and present that is getting private lap dances and other services from the women that is working in the strip clubs and bars. Those poor women, whoever is brining them in takes their passports. And don’t say report it because customs knows all of this.

  15. Ole hog says:

    Out of tune, these girls she’s referring to are the best thing to our economy… keep the bars full and men happy. These ladies are the most educated individuals coming to earn money just like everyone else who are hear on work permits, Violet is making her assumptions on a different industry, all the ladies working know what there’re getting themselves involved with. Don’t try to sideline the industry, they pay all the contributions to the government and I’m sure their documents are legal. No bar owner will try to make their license be revoked because of illegal work. I’m just saying.

    Like 4
    Dislike 6
  16. BVI culture says:

    Prostitution, Dog fighting, Cock fighting Gun running, Drug importing/exporting are all ‘Natures Little Secrets’

    Like 23
    Dislike 1
    • @BVI Culture says:

      YOU FORGOT TO ADD INBREEDING TO THE LIST. Cousins breeding cousins and uncles breeding nieces.

      Like 16
      Dislike 8
      • Worddd on that says:

        There is a lot of inbreeding going on here, you don’t mix blood. No wonder a lot of children here born with developmental disorders and disabilities which is no fault of the children, the fault lies with the dirty nasty relatives that should know better. Since when it is okay to sleep with a relative and then get pregnant. You are nothing more than a dirty nasty person with no morals about yourself. Like damnnnnn.

        Like 6
        Dislike 7
      • Riddick says:

        @@Bvi Culture… Expat people inbreed down the caribbean also sc**wing their own mothers.

        Like 7
        Dislike 1
      • @@@bvi culture says:

        God created Adam then Eve. There were only 2 persons in the beginning. We have been inbreeding since creation. Find a solid topic to respond to.

        Like 2
        Dislike 4
      • @BVI Culture says:

        You mention problems with our culture, yet you stay when you realize when it is…got me thinking you like the so-called nastiness, or are engaging in it yourself. Are you finished assimilating, my friend?

        Like 3
        Dislike 1
  17. Resident says:

    i thought there was a strict criteria for granting a work permit. that you can speak English for example. so when you ar bringing in girls from DR and other places to be bar maids, are you telling me that there are no BVI belongers that can do that job?
    hypocritical and double standards……

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
    • @Resident says:

      How many Belongers aspire to be bartenders? Let’s be for real! Most locals would do bartending as a side job or just for money until they get their desired job. Is that fair to a business?

      Like 6
      Dislike 1
      • @@Resident says:

        True, I did bartending for 3 months to pay an outstanding bill that had to be paid but it was at one of the finer establishments. There was no way I was going to bartend at a hole in the wall dive in the ghetto.

  18. Lmao says:

    This woman has no clue what she is talking about. She does be anywhere to see or be around this industry? She does be anywhere late night by the bars? Stupes

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  19. Get mad if you like says:

    Sea Cows Bay is also known as hookers alley. All those bars and hole in the wall dives down Sea Cows Bay prostitution is going on. THAT MUMU Y THAT OWN THE ONE BAR WHERE THE VILLAGE LOONS BE SITTING AROUND GRINNING THEIR TEETH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING A BAD NAME TO THE VILLAGE. CAN YOU IMAGINE YOUR VILLAGE is called hookers alley?

    Like 11
  20. Jones says:

    Boy short c**k Jr pili man

  21. Every last one…… says:

    Those AKA hole in the wall rum shop in SCB owners is involved in bringing in those Santo w…es. They are making money off the W…es that they have polluted their community with. They make the money and they give the w…es chicken feed.

  22. SMH says:

    Them girls is big time prostitution
    They love it
    Fast money
    When then don’t get them way or get catch them will say human trafficking especially those from santos they love to lure men to sleep with them for quick cash $300 n up

  23. Why? says:

    I wonder why the yellow paper has not run this story. Any ideas Julian?

  24. Jack the Ripper says:

    I am a BVIslander and vividly recall a indigenous BVIslander brought in several girls to dance on poles in his bar. among other things . I tefused to accept them in my spartment and it brought hard feelings . The immigration officers get their fair share of gogogo and money under the table.

    Leader in government know these women are abused but donothing for fear of offending friends
    No wonder when some of them suffer from depression and other mental issues . They turn their head the other way

  25. What D3 need to do is says:

    Run those nasty Santos out of Sea Cows Bay for real. They also need to run that nasty Y..PY out the village as well with his old ugly it can no longer rise to the occasion self.

  26. Can’t get any better says:

    SEA COWS BAY AKA HOOKERS ALLEY. LOLLLLLLLL.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  27. My only say says:

    The Santo women is in Tortola to swindle and hoodwink the men in Tortola out of their money. It is always about the money with those Santo women, always some sob story with those people. I don’t care or have anything to do with them because I heard one saying Tortola men is easy, stupid and can be manipulated out of their money. The only things a Santo woman is good for is washing hair, serving drinks and scamming men out of their money. They have no type of education or lucrative job skills.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  28. Noooo! ! says:

    Calypso by the late shadow, you little pussycat you, you don’t know how much a need you, do you ? And the answer is yes by all men in the HOA the clergy and all walk of life.

  29. Lies says:

    Them women know what they coming to do
    Them coming to sweep the men money and go back to them country get the body fix and come back for more.

  30. Local says:

    Dont excuse the locals for the sex trade aso because they are busier than Bar maids.

  31. @Jack the Ripper says:

    Just so.
    We live in a state of sanctimonious wickedness.

  32. hello says:

    I love Bouncer… bar…

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