Penn says pay increase coming for Immigration officers
Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn has signalled that Immigration officers will be getting salary increases in the near future as the department gets ready to undergo reformation.
“I look at Immigration and law enforcement as a special branch of government and we should be held at a high esteem because our lives are on the line on a daily basis. We risk a lot on the job and therefore I feel that officers should be paid adequately so that they can be happy in their jobs and be happy to come to work,” Penn explained on the December 1 edition of the Honestly Speaking Radio Show aired on ZBVI Radio.
Penn said with lack of adequate compensation, the BVI runs the risk of having disgruntled officers who may do things to compromise the Immigration services of the territory.
“A review will be done of my officers salary and this is something I want to champion sooner rather than later,” Penn noted.
Penn also said the Immigration Department faces a challenge acquiring adequate resources needed to carry out its functions. But he said he understands the economic constraints the government is facing because of the impact of COVID-19.
New Border Management System
Penn also noted that a new, more efficient, digital Border Management System is now being used at the Terrance B Lettsome airport and will be implemented at local sea ports in the coming weeks.
He said the travelers can download the app and fill out Immigration and Customs forms before they arrive. He added that his team has received positive feedback from guests who landed at the airport yesterday.
“That is an accomplishment that the Immigration Department has envisioned for a long time and we are proud to have that because it means we don’t have to shuffle through papers, everything is on the system,” Penn explained.
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Detour tourists, nothing to attract new investments, financial services holding on but losing its grip slowly, government service bloated and out of control, but yet we are going to be giving increases to govt. workers? These guys better wake up and start living in the real world.
Agreed. We are in the grips of a pandemic. Revenues are down. Seems to me this is not the time for salary increases.
Where will the money come from Mr Penn?
BTW, I accidentally clicked on that down vote button while finger typing. Sorry.
At least he is showing us he is in charge and trying to make a difference.
No One cannot tell the people who is in charge at BVIHSA since Dr. Georges gone .
The immigration officers do need a raise. For too long they have been supplementing their income through bribes and smuggling. If we pay them more, they will of course, give up their criminal ways.
So yes, up their pay! But wait, there’s no more money in the treasury… that’s ok. We can charge the tourists even more.
Carry on.
Mr penn i hope the minister of finance hear you. This long overdue. Everything you said above is so true. Immigration officers should be on the same pay scale as police and customs. Mr premier please to what’s needto be done as soon as possible. Immigration plays a key role in law enforcement and should definitely be compensated accordingly.
Long overdue… We’ll see if this actually happens.
Nonsense
Minimum wages need to raise
$50 to drop in your permit to renew
$20 for social security certificate
$20 for NHI certificate
$25 for revenue
And If all of that are not on good standing the sending you home.
Where as your money is been deducted and not paying, government doesn’t care cause is the expats.
Today them raising their salary in this hard time
I’m sure they do get an increase after holding American tourists hostage! Do not travel to BVIs! They will rob you!
“Penn said with lack of adequate compensation, the BVI runs the risk of having disgruntled officers who may do things to compromise the Immigration services of the territory”
Really Penn when you are on top the list!!
I hope the other law enforcement agencies look and learn from the speech this man has given. So that this country won’t go currupt.
At least he is showing us he is in charge and trying to make a difference.
No One cannot tell the people who is in charge at BVIHSA since Dr. Georges gone .