Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Labour Arbitration Tribunal clears backlogged matters

Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has praised the Labour Arbitration Tribunal for its work in clearing the backlog of matters, some dating as far back as 2015.

While addressing participants at the first workshop hosted by the tribunal held on Tuesday, March 23 Honourable Wheatley said since Attorney at Law Mr Jamal Smith took on the role of Chairman of the Labour Arbitration Tribunal, there were 12 backlogged matters dating back to 2015 with nine new matters to date.

Honourable Wheatley said, “Mr Smith and his team have adjudicated or settled 13 of those matters. Currently, there are eight active matters, and there has already been 15 hearings and two trials for the year, which is a testament to the commitment that the Tribunal has to serve the people of the BVI. Building capacity within the Territory is paramount to keeping the Virgin Islands compliant with international best practices and standards.”

Chairman of the Labour Arbitration Tribunal, Mr. Jamal S. Smith, said the management of the labour market is the most significant aspect of economic development and revitalisation, especially while recovering from the most devastating natural disasters in 2017 and now the COVID-19 pandemic that is heading into its second year.

“The Labour Arbitration Tribunal is central to maintaining certainty and security in the labour market so this first in what will be many more workshops like this supported by the ministry is absolutely critical to our Territory’s economic success,” Mr. Smith said.

The workshop was facilitated by former Presiding Judge of the BVI Commercial Court, Honourable Barry Leon, FCIArb and Partner at Spencer West LLP, Ms. Shan Greer, FCIArb. It focused on the role and powers of the tribunal to procedural hearings, evidence and applications. Participants were also engaged in lectures, group discussions and mock hearings.

Participant, Chief Fire Officer Mr. Zebalon McLean said he enjoyed the workshop and is hoping that labour solutions can be found for employees and employers going forward.

Mr. McLean said, “We signed up for this workshop because we really do want to serve in a way that makes things easier, for not only employees but for employers as well; there must be some level of accountability and we want to have a balance to make sure that many of the problems that we have with labour matters are satiated.”

The Labour Arbitration Tribunal is an independent tribunal set up under the Labour Code, 2010 with the power to make orders and awards with the same force as an order or award of the High Court.

The parties appearing before the body are entitled to the same rights or privileges as they would have before any court. The tribunal makes decisions about labour disputes and it regulates its own procedures as to how it will do so. This includes complaints about things like unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, redundancy and discrimination in the workplace as well as reviewing certain decisions of the Labour Commissioner.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×