Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

'People's lives being held hostage' due to stalled Labour Tribunal– Jamal S. Smith

'People's lives being held hostage' due to stalled Labour Tribunal– Jamal S. Smith

The local Labour Arbitration Tribunal has been without a Chairperson since July 31, 2022, according to ex-Chairperson and attorney Jamal S. Smith, who said this has put matters before the tribunal in a hostage situation for the last four months.

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

Tribunal without Chairperson for last 4 months - Smith

The parties appearing before the tribunal are entitled to the same rights or privileges as they would have before any court, as the body makes decisions about labour disputes, which includes complaints about matters like unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, redundancy and discrimination in the workplace as well as reviewing certain decisions of the Labour Commissioner.

Appearing on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on November 7, 2022, Smith said his replacement as Chairperson has not been appointed and that it was a matter for the current Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).

Hon Turnbull is currently in Egypt, attending a climate change conference.

Mr Smith was first appointed chairperson of the tribunal on August 1, 2020, for a period of two years, and he added that until a new Chairperson is appointed, the work of the Tribunal is stalled, and he could not say what is the status of the other members of the board.

“I can't say what's going to happen until they appoint a new chairperson. Whoever is a new Chairperson would have to say.”

When questioned whether there needed to be a replacement before he exited office, Smith revealed that the Minister would have to answer that question.

“Well, it's not a matter for me. That's a matter for the Minister, and so while I did all that I was supposed to do, they were well informed that my tenure had come to come to an end, in fact, well before my tenure came to an end,” he revealed.


Appearing on the November 7, 2022, edition of Talking Points on ZBVI 780am, Smtih said since the ending of his tenure, his replacement as Chairperson has not been appointed and that it was a matter for the Current Minister of Natural Resources & Labour, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).

Chairman needed before matters proceed - Smith

It was further revealed that all arbitration matters are then ceased without a Chairman and that has been the case since July 31, 2022.

“All I will say is, the importance of the mechanism that was created by that statute, I think has been lost on someone somewhere within the system and I think there's a lot going on in terms of restructuring.”

Smith continued, “I've heard of certain things in terms of what's happening with respect to Labour on a whole. So I'm not sure if that is part and parcel of what is going on, but there has to be some official statement made because people's lives are being held hostage.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×