Labour Inspectors Overwhelmed

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BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Human resources constraint is affecting the Labour Department, and causing difficulty in the execution of workplace inspections. In fact, the department has noted that the understaffed Inspection Unit is tasked to serve the entire Territory, even though the three employees continue to face challenges.

Labour protection is a key part of the department’s mandate, and inspectors are expected to perform unannounced inspections, investigate complaints lodged at the department, investigate work related complaints, as well as investigate work permit applications and conduct stop orders. However, the 2015 report that was tabled in the House of Assembly, disclosed that there is not enough workers for these tasks.

Currently, there are only three Labour Inspector positions – two on Tortola and one on Virgin Gorda. Further, one of the Inspectors on Tortola has been reassigned to perform the job tasks of a Labour Officer, due to the demand for processing work permits.

Meanwhile, it was mentioned that the unit on Tortola is responsible for the majority of the Virgin Islands; while Virgin Gorda has the responsibility of monitoring Virgin Gorda and its three smaller neighbouring islands – Saba, Necker, and Mosquito Islands.

“With only this amount of inspectors, it is impossible to properly inspect the huge volume of businesses in the Territory,” the report stated.

Additionally, matters are compounded as it was mentioned that the officers from the Inspection Unit are called upon to perform other labour related duties, which further reduce the number of inspections carried out.

Although the report noted that the labour inspections help to improve the conditions of many workplaces, it was noted that the unit still continues to face challenges. Some of the recurring challenges date back to 2014, when it was first reported that the unit was unable to carry out its duties on Anegada and Jost Van Dyke due to monetary constraints, and issues that restrict night inspections.

Nonetheless, it was announced that the Labour Department was still able to conduct 128 inspections in 2015.

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