People through the ‘whole’ BVI seeking jobs

Leader of the Opposition Andrew Fahie has brought back into sharp focus, the issue of unemployment in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

He told the House of Assembly this morning that persons throughout the territory have been sending him Whatsapp messages requesting help in finding any job, at any place possible.

Fahie said some persons seeking help are degree holders.

“I have people up to this morning – up to five minutes ago through the whole Virgin Islands Whatsapping me, asking me if I know any place where they could get a job. Any place,” the Opposition leader claimed.

“I have few with degrees – Bachelor’s and Master’s – at home sitting down saying ‘Fahie, anything is good, Fahie. My mortgage due; this is due; I don’t want a handout; I just want a job.”

Fahie further stated that a few persons who sit on the street-corners are being used to generalize that majority of BVI natives don’t want jobs.

“I agree with any member [of the House] that get up and say I don’t want to hear the Nancy story that our people don’t want to work; I don’t want to hear it. Whether it is in marine [industry] or otherwise, I don’t want to hear it,” Fahie said during his contribution to a debate on the Cruising Permit (Amendment) Act 2017.

He also told the House that he has been assisting young people from his constituency to acquire training in the marine industry. But, according to Fahie, persons are not being hired although they have attended job interviews.

“They went on job interviews and they weren’t selected,” the Opposition leader lamented while he – among with most other lawmakers – called for legislation to protect locals in the marine industry.