Open Letters To The Chief Minister

May 9,2007

Honorable Chief Minister
Minister of Labour and Immigration
Government of Anguilla
The Valley
Anguilla

RE: LABOUR INCREASES FOR WORK PERMITS

Dear Sir

I write to express my total disgust with the zealophobic way in which the decisions are made in regard to the Departments of Immigration and Labour, especially as it relates to Government’s use of these two ministries to stifle growth and development in the local Anguillian private sector.

It must be understood, sir, that available labour is a key resource in the development and expansion of every economy. Government cannot allow capital investment to become a runaway train and expect to slow it down by restricting labour.

In this country we in the local private sector are restricted in the quality of labour we can import, because of Government’s policy on families. Women are forced to leave their children behind, men are forced to leave their families, as children are denied entry into schools. It is your Government who removed all the controls on foreign investment.

Therefore, sir, it is your Government’s responsibility to invest in the social infrastructure to accommodate out of control growth and development.

The proposed rises in work permit fees published by your Government yesterday, amounts to total madness and the most brutal attack on the Anguillian private sector since Sir Robert Bradshaw’s promise to put bones in our rice and pepper in our soup.

On the eve of the 40th Anniversary of the Anguillian Revolution , you have without reason, fired the first shot across the bow of the Anguillian private sector, with these unreasonable increases, Believe me sir when I say the fire will be returned, unless the proposed increases are immediately shelved and a process of consultation initiated with the private sector, to determine what is considered a reasonable and affordable rate of increase. Alternatively, I will work with the private sector to shape a response which I am sure will not be in the Government’s best interest.

It is time for your Government’s arrogant, thoughtless and adhoc way of dealing with the local private sector to come to an end. We are and will be the most valuable contributors to this economy regardless of the depth of the pockets of your foreign investors. We cannot and will not allow you to push the cost of work permits beyond our ability to pay for them. This sir will have a direct negative impact in our ability to provide quality service to the public and will cause closures or a rise in the illegal employment and human smuggling.

Honourable sir, the role of Government is to lead and facilitate growth and orderly development in society. Would you be so kind as to demonstrate some ability in this area?

Sincerely,
Quincy Gumbs
Director

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Business Community