Non-Belongers should get social assistance too
Persons who are non-Belongers and have lived in the BVI for over a decade should be eligible for social assistance from the government.
That was the view shared by Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn as he called on the government to implement a policy shift for those facing challenging times.
While debating the budget in the House of Assembly recently, Walwyn suggested that such assistance from the government is generally restricted to BVIslanders or Belongers.
However, the Opposition lawmaker said he felt that persons who have lived in the territory for over a decade should not be neglected because of a lack of status.
“Something needs to be done about people who have been here for a long time. You have many persons who may not have gotten their Belongers or Residency for whatever reason, But if they’ve been here for 10, 15, 20 years, they fall on hard times transitioning to another job, we can’t turn our back on those people and many of those people have children who are born in this country,” Walwyn argued.
He urged that there should be a change in the government’s policy towards such persons so they can access social assistance services.
The matter of social assistance was one of the critical issues that emerged during the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on governance in the territory years ago. The inquiry ultimately found that assistance grants were distributed indiscriminately and without accountability.
Social assistance grants that were previously distributed through district representatives and the House of Assembly directly were subsequently rerouted through the Social Development Department after the COI report was released.
Meanwhile, Walwyn pointed to the absence of a senior citizens programme in his District 6 community, where he highlighted that there is an ageing community that needs to be serviced through such a programme.
“I know a suggestion was made that the District 6 people be transported elsewhere. We ain’t going nowhere. We want the programme right there in District 6. We’re going to look for a location and we’re going to make sure we put that programme on,” Walwyn said.
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agreed!
Absolutely not. Sorry not sorry. If you fall on hard times, it is customary to go back from whence you came. Not to sound harsh or Xenophobic but I can’t go to America and qualify for food stamps/EBT as an immigrant. We are not a rich country and the sooner people grasp that concept the better. Had we been spending the EC dollar, majority would not even be here.
Sound so effing stupid
U sound so effing stupid
And you clearly have a problem with grammar and real words. Seems you struggle with identity as well. I’ll pray for you.
You sound like one of them who your father is also your Uncle. You such a wise annal
And you must be the sibling to the one having the identity crisis. Fortunately for me, compared to the two of you, I’m not the one that appears to be the inbred. Go ahead and speak your truth darling it’s ok.
CORRECTION. You can if your child or children is from the US! You are entitled to & will receive if applied for, FOR YOUR CHILD! Please don’t share your two cents if you don’t know. My child is from America, I am not from there. However when she moved to America after the hurricanes, she was eligible for food stamps as she is a US citizen.
Clearly you don’t know what immigrant means lmao! Your child is a CITIZEN of the USA ma’am lmaoooo. Keep your ignorant two cents to yourself next time because clearly you MISSED the point
People who live here pay sc money so what
We need to clamp down on work permit violators work permit holders continue to flaunt the law
@ mmm,
Walwyn know something that you don’t know. In the US there are many ways to get help when you fall on hard times. You weren’t able to get help because you did not know where to access help, does not mean the expat should not get help.And he is correct in his statement, because in analysis how many contribute to the SS monthly contributions, but get nothing, that SSB should have be the one to help the people.
Social assistance is not only about handing a check to people it’s also about networking with other departments and organizations to help the people. They should get help. He needs to survey the statement for the COI purpose and submit it to the government for change.
no we barely get any don’t cut our share short
Some grown up proper politics there. Well done Myron.
Walwyn, the campaign is over. Stop pandering to your base. You and those needy non belongers need to bo back to your home country. You see, this is why this man should not of been qualified to run. He does not have any true ties to the BVI. So go ahead and sink the territory with these nonsensical talk. Anything for self gain
People who have been here over 10 years – contributing to social security should have rights to make a claim.
If they were in most other countries, they would have already been made citizens.
Then the claim for assistance should be with SSB.
Then move to one of those countries!
The good book says we must love each other including foreigners. That being said, the BVI cannot continue bear the social burdens of the Caribbean. Many Caribbean immigrants run from their countries seeking a better standard of living for the most part. In some cases, they run from their countries because the level of corruption is so great they cannot prosper in their own countries and this is still the case in many independent Caribbean countries. When some immigrants migrate to the BVI they are worst off for many reasons.
People need to rationalize whether it is in their best interest to migrate or to hold their corrupt and alleged leaders in their home countries accountable as opposed to migrating where they may find it worst. In many independent Caribbean countries leaders have been accused of fleecing the treasuries and living like kings and queens while citizens skilled and unskilled flee for want. Many flee to the BVI, USVI, US, UK and other developed and developing countries, and the BVI and other countries have been very kind and hospitable. In some cases too kind.
With all due respect, the people who most likely need help now are persons who were imported by BVIslanders to work for minimum wage. They were your housemaids, babysitters, elderly caregivers, gardeners, and all these things. You bring people in to do construction and all kinds of blue collar work because your government has no desire to see its people develop so it can keep them in begging mode depending on handouts for votes. Not trying to develop a strong local workforce is BVI’s greatest failure.
You get tired of your own caribbean people so now you brin ging in asians. But everybody fall sick, get old at some point. Social care is needed. Act civilized for a change and do the right thing. Mr. Walwyn is right. Everybody is human and the chickens will come home to roost.
If you migrate to a country for a job be it a white collar or blue collar job and you cannot pay for your basic needs refuse the job. Even though the individual may be paying you the US dollar and you are still not able to pay for basic necessities and needs you have the option to refuse. Do not migrate and allow someone to use you like a slave.
I am not sure about this one at all because it may open a can of worms!
but he looking out for he island people them
I wholeheartedly agree!
I think this is pure nonsense. Anyone living/working in the BVI and contributing to NHI and SSB are qualified to receive benefits under both programs. I think what he’s speaking of is actually qualifying for financial assistance from the Government itself which is reserved for locals.
Financial Assistance directly from the Government should be ONLY for Belongers and Citizens. Where in other parts of the world do immigrants get the same privileges as the citizens? Pure BS!
Let them go back home if they cant afford to live here…..Too much poor people coming here to live period!
When Andrew got up and illegally gave 2,000 persons belongers he wasn’t a threat to National security? Now Myron is saying if these same people work here for decades without their papers and lose their jobs we should assist them temporarily especially if they have children born here he is a threat to national security. These are the same people that Andrew gave belongers to and you all nearly faint away and sucked it up and put back the VIP in government. Myron is saying to give them food and shelter for a period until they get back on their feet.
Some of you were jumping up that you didnt want no Vincy First Lady. You don’t have one now? Set ah dutty minded slime balls.
Of those 2,000 granted “status” a number of them were not valid! They were clearing a backlog which was years of mismanagement of the labor/immigration systems. Someone here on a work permit should NOT receive any financial assistance directly from the Government. SSB or NHI perhaps which is contributory but even SSB does not have unemployment insurance as it only relates to retirement benefits mainly.
ITS THE POORER WE WILL GET
Taxation without representation. If you aren’t willing to provide the benefit, don’t tax them for it.
Arrested and charged for stealing government money over a wall
on work permit?
Sometimes i do not understand these politicians. the government can scarcely afford to give assistance to is own people how in the world such a small country will be able to afford to give assistance to non Belongers. If Honourable Walwyn tell which country in the Caribbean or the world do such a thing then i will reconsider my argument. I am losing confidence in all you people.
Did you even read the article? And if you did and feel the way that you do then something is wrong with you. The children of those people who belong to the BVI should starve during the period rather than getting $200 per month to buy food until their parents could find a job? The wrath of God will strike this country much much more than it is right now. Some of us are just bad bad people.
What weed are you on? There are Virigin Islanders themself who do notor barely get assistance usually due to party affiliation. Now we must look at an additional segment of the population? SMFH!
I could bet, they will get more assistance than belongers when this proposal gets approval. In fact many of them already get assistance. They marry a local for two months then leave them and receive whatever benefits there are.
This is a reason why you won’t be Premier. It is agreed that persons should be treated fairly though. We need you back at the ministry of Education quick
If Myron wouldn’t be premier because he is a compassionate and caring human being then the BVi don’t deserve him as Premier. Look at the last two you had. That is what you deserve then.
So if persons who have been here 10,15 or 20 years working and have children born and living here and they happen to lose their jobs temporarily,we should let them and their children starve. This BVi has become such a mean spirited place. Aren’t we seeing the slope that we are slipping down because of our terrible ways? We don’t intend to change?
We already have sent rules and because we are not willing to bend and accommodate everyone all of a sudden BVI is mean-spirited. You should look up the word ‘ungrateful’ and what that means when you offer assistance to non-citizens because people feel entitled. These sorts of demands should not even be entertained.
Furthermore, the law regarding children born here and not being able to get status until 18 is not a BVI law but rather a UK law through the British Nationality Act!!!
If you knew the law you would know that children born here to expats are eligible to be citizens from the age of 10 and not 18. So you all would like to leave your own citizens without assistance because their parents who contributed tax fell on hard times?
Don’t worry time will tell.
Myron is correct and that’s why you all hate this man. He shows everybody the wicked ways of your hearts.
Non belongers should receive assistance from the multiply non profit organizations that we have here.Not many countries can afford to pay for non citizens or offer benefits .
There is a conflict saying that people who have been here over 10 years cant be residents but they can have assistance, why not clarify the residency/belonger requirements and make the processing efficient (three decades ago the practice was work permit exemption 10 years, residency 20 and belonger 30 years and worked well)
Actually this is not new. Back in the 80s the Social Security paid back those that paid in the coffers. Even those that had less than 10 years. I had employees that received there funds back.
With 70% of the workforce comprising expatriates, sime kind of unemployment isurance system is need, with the qualifying criteria being x contributions likely equal to10 yrs wployment. Especially in the tourism related jobs, that come under pressure every time it is hurricane season. He has a valid point. Only govt can drive that policy shift. Not only work permit holders are affected.
The man will do anything to become Premier. He hasn’t learned that divide and rule will not work in the BVI.
The UK taking over the country and their people are being placed in high positions, buying up land, opening businesses and you all quiet. But you want to kill your black brothers and sisters who stayed here and toiled with you if they fall on hard times. You see why nobody marched with you all when you were tying to fight the UK? This same behavior is the reason.
#screweduppeople
It was since the reign of the NDP that the increments were promised by all f their administratons…
It was after the last fooling off of the civil servants and the people that the people got fed up and vote them all out.
Four admiisrations,zippo for civil servants and the people.
This current adminisation has done the sae thig and is utiizing thesame tricks and stunts.
Now they proise funds will. be given in 2927. Coe 2027, they will tell the people soethig else, but to e sure, the people will not be getting any money.
Thus,the people will have to give them the NDP treatment for dishonesty.
Then, who will be elected to look out for the people? Remains to be seen.
It is important for persons to read the legislation and understand the categories of persons who are eligible for assistance. Do not always take the word of a politician
Even a local can not get assistance……Keeps being told to come back later… Sickening
is that the reason his daughter run America to give birth? to get social assistance ?
Some vitriol here today. What is a “belonger” anyway? In the BVI a “Belonger” is someone of African heritage whose family lived in the BVI circa 1950s. In reality people of African heritage belong in Africa.
Alyo don’t forget that non belongers contribute to this economy also, they pay TAXS,NHI,and SOCIAL SECURITY that some of you who with alyo (IBH DEGREE) hardly do. alyo don’t forget that history has it that long-ago persons from tortola went to other countries to work in the sugar industry, yet some of you behaving like alyo better than other. DONT forget that tortola is also a CARIBBEAN COUNTRY.
Alyo don’t forget that non belongers contribute to this economy also, they pay TAXS,NHI,and SOCIAL SECURITY that some of you who with alyo (IBH DEGREE) hardly do. alyo don’t forget that history has it that long-ago persons from tortola went to other countries to work in the sugar industry, yet some of you behaving like alyo better than other. DONT forget that tortola is also a CARIBBEAN COUNTRY.
It’s crazy how y’all think of others who contribute to a system way more than half you BVIslanders/American. The same persons you hate so much stayed and build back your country while y’all run to the states for shelter with your American kids who they took in because they were born there. Y’all so hate the thought of other Caribbean people while y’all do the same thing to America. Y’all are some selfish set of ungrateful people, crab barrel kind of mentality and it’s sad. Some of your own people, your own blood are married to these persons, think about it.
Y’all so want island people to leave while y’all yourselves are island people. Who rent y’all apartments, who work in so many of these establishments, use yall brains, if these people decide collectively to leave this island it is no where the BVI can make it. It will be a ghost town. Apartments empty, businesses closed down and so much more. Half y’all own so call people won’t be here because they American who were born in the USA. News flash they not from here either but because they not from an island y’all don’t see it that way.
Think about the way y’all relate to others before it’s too late.
What are you talking about? The question should be asked why does expats hate BVIslanders so much. It makes the sense the rants and nonsense being spewed on this platform. If we were not kind people you would not be here. You came first and then you brought mommy, daddy, brother, sister and aunty. No problem. You talk about being treated like slaves and your bank accounts both here and at home are loaded. You say all our children are born in the US and so are yours when you get the chance. Many BVIslanders have their children right here at home.
After the storm, lots of you left. In fact planes were sent for you. We stayed. A few left but are back.
You know what is needed, self introspection by all expats. Ask yourselves, if I was at home and all these BVIslanders wanted to come to my country would I agree? Are they welcome now that you are here to take your place? Would they be able to stay as long as they like, be as mean as they like
and not be cut down in the streets? Please, BVIslanders are not stupid. There is no reason to post the rubbish you post. If you are tired of the BVI and its people, just leave.
The fact of the matter is there are a lot of elderly BVIslanders in the countryside living with diabetes and hypertension and living on social security and they are not begging and fussing like some of you. You have two and three jobs and still begging. Stop it. Hon. Walwyn needs to find the elderly in his community and help them and leave you ungrateful young people alone to fend for your damn selves or go to hell home.
We were only one after Irma and Maria, but time will tell, leave them to God, he not sleeping.
That is who we need to leave it to. The demands made on these beautiful but tiny British Virgin Islanders of small square mileage by these big island expats boggles my mind. People, it is unsustainable. It cannot happen. You are allowed to do all manner of illegal things while here. You work as many jobs as you want and not paying taxes on them. You cannot make big demands on our system. Where is the reciprocity? Can we come to your country when things go south because of your greedy backsides sucking us dry? Our BVI children are roaming the streets. No entry level jobs available for them. Our elderly are in their homes suffering. And Hon. Walwyn trying to further drain us. If you cannot afford to live in another country, you go home. And it doesn’t matter how long you have been here. Give me a break. Please, give me a break. I had enough of this. Humble yourselves or BVIslanders are going to stop being silent and, yes, NICE.
P A R A S I T E S are not welcome.PARASITES are a threat to the survival of its host.
PARASITES are to be eliminated.
Many people have to leave the BVI to see the world or get informed, they don’t know anything other than what they are, the government is some mean-spirited locals, among others, who don’t believe in not eating in St Thomas, how in the US, they do help undocumented immigrants. I know that and many locals who have lived without documents…
A slave mentality
I read carefully debates like this one and it makes me very sad. BVIslanders do not hate nor are we inordinately mean to anyone. I am tired of this line used whenever this topic is raised about using our neighbours as slaves. Taking a job and remaining in it is a choice. Let no one take your choices away.
This country’s doors are wide open so that all and sundry can come in. They are all welcomed and are allowed to stay even when they are not working and idle, which is illegal in most countries. Lots are not tertiary educated but beat BVIslanders out of jobs and they have a night job and a weekend job as well.
The flipside, BVIslanders leave High School and there are no entry level positions for them to build and learn proper work ethics. And I know it is easy to say that we are lazy and don’t want to work, but that is a convenient self-serving excuse by expats to not hire your own. For, of course, Expats will try harder in the beginning as they are more goal driven, but are no better or friendlier than BVIslanders when settled.
I am a child of God and I think that everyone deserves a better life. The BVI is a beautiful place and a wonderful place to live but alas we cannot accomodate everyone. And everyone who stays over ten years cannot get belongership. We are overrun now with Fillipinos and persons from all over the world and we are tired of hearing that BVIslanders are mean and terrible people. We stayed after the storms, yes we did. A few left for a short while and returned while your countries sent planes to pick you up. And lots of you were happy to leave because you felt that was the end of us.
Giving grants to all and sundry is not possible or sustainable and Hon. Walwyn knows this. Being compared to America who print their own money and have Federal funds is downright silly. Bottom line is I am a BVIslander born and raised. I love my country and I would love to see some of it left for my children and their children because it seems most of who come now only come to feed and bring their bad attitudes. I am grateful for those with loving mentalities and God-fearing hearts or they would run us over in the streets. Love us or leave. That’s what I would do.
If non-Belingers have paid into yhe system, YES, they’re entitled!
“Taxpayers” should have access, regardless of nationality. Might end up ruling out some belongers but that’s the risk we take.