Mister Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to stand before you today and give a statement on Labour and Immigration matters.  As you and the Members of this Honourable House will remember I made a statement on Sunday, 3^rd May to the people of these beautiful Virgin Islands updating them on Labour and Immigration matters.  Mister Speaker, today I wish to give supplemental information that will answer some burning questions coming out of that statement.

"Mothers are like glue. Even when you can't see them, they're still holding the family together." Today, Sunday, May 10 is the day the whole world pauses to celebrate and show appreciation to all mothers.

Se notifica al público que a partir de hoy, viernes 8, mayo, el Ministerio de Recursos Naturales, Trabajo e Inmigración ya no aceptará solicitudes de exención de permisos de trabajo hasta nuevo aviso.

The public is notified that effective today, Friday 8, May, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration will no longer be accepting work permit exemption applications until further notice.

Businesses in the Territory are reminded to submit their Workforce Assessment to the Department of Labour and Workforce Development. 

The public is advised that appointments for the collection of work permit renewals will be prioritised for those businesses approved by the Government for reopening at this time, and for those businesses that have submitted the Workforce Assessment. 

Employees who are having disputes with their employers and need assistance are urged to contact the Department of Labour and Workforce Development’s Disputes Unit.

Businesses in the Territory are notified that the orientation sessions conducted for employers and employees by the Immigration Department and the Department of Labour and Workforce Development  are suspended until further notice.   

In the interim, hand-outs and the use of technology will be utilised to aid employers and employees with the requirements and rules of both departments.

Good day to the people of these beautiful Virgin Islands.  I greet you in the midst of this global Pandemic which has taken us into what the Premier has termed the “New Regular” where we have to adapt, live and work with COVID-19.  Today, I make this statement as the Minister for responsible for Labour and Immigration matters.

Los empleados con citas programadas que son empleados de negocios que figuran en el registro aprobado de empresas gubernamentales, podrán recoger sus permisos de trabajo cuando el Departamento de Trabajo y Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral vuelva a abrir el lunes 4 de mayo.