Madam Speaker, the Government of National Unity is mindful that there exists in the national community persons who, for varied reasons, experience periods of unemployment and/or underemployment, and therefore have difficulty providing for the needs of their families and meeting their regular expenses.

The public is notified that the Department of Labour and Workforce Development has suspended the service for issuing expedited work permits during the month of December. 

Job seekers are invited to register for training in resumé writing, interview skills, and workplace etiquette being offered during this month of November by the Department of Labour and Workforce Development.

The public is informed that effective immediately; new-approved full-time work permits will be issued a clearance valid for six (6) months instead of the previous three (3) months.

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull has called on human resources agencies to collaborate with the Government of the Virgin Islands to address workforce development in the Territory.

All employers operating on the Festival Grounds during the upcoming VI Emancipation Festival are reminded that they are to apply for and obtain a work permit for any non-Belonger/non-BVIslander they may wish to employ. 

The public is reminded to review the checklist when submitting work permit applications to the Department of Labour and Workforce Development. Persons are also asked to submit all the required documents that are stated on the list.

The public is notified that the offices of the Department of Labour and Workforce Development on Tortola and Virgin Gorda will close at 12:00 noon on Friday, July 1.

The public is notified that the Department of Labour and Workforce Development will be closed to the public today Tuesday, June 7.

Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull is the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour under the Unity Government of the Virgin Islands.