Jamaica and the Philippines are the highest two nationalities holding energetic work permits within the British Virgin Islands, in line with figures shared by Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley throughout a current sitting of the Home of Meeting.
As of Might 30, 2025, there have been 5,913 energetic work permits recorded within the Labour Administration System—5,217 of which have been authorized, whereas 696 have been awaiting consideration.
The highest ten international locations with the best variety of work allow holders are:
Jamaican nationals account for 10.82% of all energetic work allow holders, adopted by Filipinos at 9.38%, Vincentians at 8.58%, and Dominicans (from the Dominican Republic) at 6.85%.
Nonetheless, Opposition Member Marlon Penn raised considerations concerning the figures, questioning their reliability. “Based mostly on the numbers and historic data that’s come to this Home, that quantity can’t be correct when it comes to the energetic work permits,” Penn stated. “You’re saying to me that solely 5,000 work permits we’ve within the territory?”
In response, Dr. Wheatley defined that the Labour Division had transitioned to a Labour Administration System in July 2024, and acknowledged potential gaps within the information. “We all know that there might be companies within the territory which haven’t been regularised, which maybe are having individuals working with out a work allow,” he said.
“We’ll return and question the knowledge to see the place the gaps could also be and to see if this determine isn’t correct, how will we verify the true quantity,” Wheatley added.
Turning to the difficulty of native employment, the Premier reported that 2,342 Virgin Islanders and Belongers are at present registered within the system searching for work. He cited a abilities hole as a contributing issue to native unemployment and pointed to authorities coaching packages—such because the RATED initiative—as an answer.
“These are the individuals who we need to turn out to be our carpenters, our masons, our electricians, our plumbers,” Dr. Wheatley stated.
