Pickering promises quick work permits for select workers

The government is already laying the groundwork to facilitate the quick processing of work permits for skilled craftsmen such as construction workers to help rebuild the territory.

The announcement came from Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr Kedrick Pickering, who was addressing a press conference this morning.

“Quite a number of persons have inquired about expediting work permits for, especially, technical and professional workers of a skilled nature; engineers, architects etcetera, and more importantly, skilled workers in construction.”

“Certainly, the Department is doing its very best, and putting the necessary infrastructure in place to be able to facilitate those processes,” Dr Pickering noted.

The minister also reiterated a statement made by Premier, Dr D Orlando Smith, that the government would ensure persons who held valid work permits before Hurricane Irma struck will be allowed to return hassle free.

“The premier mentioned that we have basically given a moratorium on work permits, meaning that if you are a work permit holder and you have had to leave the country for whatever reason… if it expires in the next three months [you] shall be facilitated in being able to have your work permit renewed without any problems,” he said.

The statement came amid rumours that a number of expatriates who were on work permits and have left the territory after the hurricane might not be allowed to return.

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