Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, has said that the Labour Department will continue to ensure that the supply of labour is adequate with the level of development in all sectors of the economy.

Madame Speaker, as we rebuild our economy, the Department of Labour continues to play its role in our rebuilding efforts.  Shortly after the devastating hurricanes of last September, a Skilled Workers Programme was implemented to ensure that the necessary labour was able to enter the Territory in a timely manner. Employers have taken full advantage of this policy and to emphasize this point, a total of one thousand, seven hundred and ten (1,710) skilled workers have entered the Territory, the majority of which are in the construction industry.  

Business owners are notified that requests for Work Permit Waivers for entry of skilled workers to assist in the Territory’s disaster recovery efforts must now be submitted in writing to the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour.

Business owners are being reminded of the new procedure in place to accommodate the entry of skilled workers into the Territory to assist in recovery efforts.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is continuing to put measures in place to provide a skilled labour force to assist in the Territory’s recovery efforts.

Entrepreneurs and job seekers throughout the Territory received insight into opportunities being offered in the Territory’s leading industry during a Financial Services Opportunities Expo.

The public is advised that the Labour Department will be offering limited services on Thursday, January 11 and Friday, January 12 at the Central Administration Complex (CAC).  These limited services are to facilitate the relocation of the department from its temporary location at the complex back to its permanent offices located at the Ashley Ritter Building.

Business owners, employers and managers are reminded to submit the requested employment statistics in its entirety to the Department of Labour.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour is informing 2015/2016 applicants that Work Permit Exemptions are ready to be collected at the Ministry in the East Wing of the Central Administration Complex.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is notifying prospective employers that the Department of Immigration is putting measures in place to allow for the quick processing of work permits for skilled craftsmen such as construction workers to help rebuild the Territory.