The Labour Department will be renamed to the Department of Labour and Workforce Development as the Government of the Virgin Islands moves to improve labour relations and develop the Territory’s workforce.

The new department to be launched on July 5, and will focus on six main areas including; Labour Relations, Increasing Public Awareness, Labour Protection/Health & Safety, Policy Development/Legislative Review, Workforce Development & Training, and Online Work Permit Processing Services.

Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley said, “As we continue to modernise the way that we operate in relation to labour and workforce development, I am pleased that the launch of the Department of Labour and Workforce Development is coming to fruition.”

Labour Commissioner Ms. Janice Rymer added, “The re-launching of the department is necessary to create public awareness about the role of the department, to build our relationship with the employers and employees, and to emphasise the department’s focus on workforce development; ultimately decreasing the heavy reliance on foreign labour.”

The Labour and Workforce Development programme will continue to provide services that are aimed at promoting good Labour/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.

Attached:  Launching of the Labour and Workforce Development Department Flyer