Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley has commended the Department of Labour and Workforce Development for its reform process which he said has dramatically improved services offered to the public.

Honourable Wheatley was addressing the first employer orientation session which saw six (6) representatives from the public and private sector receiving training on workplace procedures and protocols as well as the labour laws of the BVI.

The minister said, “I must thank and recognise Commissioner Rymer for the excellent work that she has been doing. When we make businesses work more efficiently, the entire country benefits from it and that’s our aim, we want businesses to flow easier.”

Honourable Wheatley added, “We launched the Department and Workforce Development last year and this is another step in the progression of what we are trying to do in terms of reforming and modernising the department.”

Labour Commissioner Ms. Janice Rymer thanked the companies and partners and for taking the initiative to expand their knowledge of the procedures and protocols.

Ms. Rymer said, “The employee orientation session takes place every Thursday. This employer orientation programme will be held every third Tuesday of the month, so inform your colleagues and have them give us a call to sign up to be a part of our next session.”

Manager of Media One Production Company Mr. Edju En Ka gave a testimonial on his experience with the department over the years noting that he has been helped to make his workplace operate in line with the labour laws of the BVI.

Mr. Edju En Ka said, “My relationship with the Department of Labour has been a very pleasant and beneficial one, not only for my needs, but also for the needs of the community members I was able to assist.”

Mr. Edju En Ka added, “The times that I filled out forms incorrectly, did not provide enough information and needed emergency expeditious assistance, I have always found a helping hand and a listening ear from the Labour Department.”

The Department of Labour and Workforce Development partnered with National Health Insurance (NHI), the departments of Inland Revenue, and Trade, the Immigration Department and the Social Security Board to exchange information to employers as it relates to their fields of expertise at the orientation sessions.

The department continues to promote good labour and management practices at workplaces to ensure stable and harmonious labour relations between employers and employees, and to protect the rights, wages, working conditions, safety, health and welfare of workers through enforcement of the British Virgin Islands Labour Laws.