Officials Accused of Blocking Locals From Yachting
Political commentator Cindy Rosan alleges high-ranking officials have pressured Labour Department staff to fast-track work permits and approvals for politically connected individuals in the yachting sector, disadvantaging qualified Virgin Islanders. The claims come as the government promotes scholarships and training to boost local participation, and Junior Minister Lorna Smith says steps are being taken to ensure locals benefit from tourism and yachting.
Morning Facts host and political commentator Cindy Rosan has accused senior government figures of interfering in Labour Department decisions to favour politically connected people in the lucrative yachting industry, according to statements made on her radio show. Rosan said she has been contacted by Labour Department insiders who allege pressure from higher-ups to approve work permits and other requests for expatriates and politically linked applicants.
She told listeners that some public officers felt powerless to refuse and that others were pushed out after declining to break rules to accommodate cronies. "They felt like there wasn’t much more that they could do because those above them — all the way up to the ministries — no matter what the laws are or how things are supposed to go, they make the final call," Rosan said.
She added that fast-tracked approvals have happened at the expense of qualified Virgin Islanders seeking opportunities in yachting. Community complaints have long centred on the perception that the yachting sector is increasingly dominated by expatriates and foreign management, leaving few pathways for locals to advance into captain, first mate and senior shore-side roles.
Rosan said employers often import their own crews and leadership, and claimed guest preferences are sometimes used to justify hiring non-locals. The allegations come as the government publicly promotes scholarship and training programmes aimed at preparing young Virgin Islanders for careers in boating, culinary arts and tourism.
Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Lorna Smith recently said steps are being taken to ensure Virgin Islanders genuinely benefit from areas of tourism such as yachting. Rosan criticised what she called mixed messages from government: on one hand providing training and scholarships, and on the other allowing interference that prevents qualified locals from obtaining licences and jobs. "You’ve got yachting companies clearing two or three million dollars a year, yet Virgin Islanders trying to get their foot in there can’t get this licence or that licence approved," she said.
She also called for targeted legislation and clear pathways to secure greater access for Virgin Islanders to marine and tourism jobs, urging leaders to stop "erasing our people out of our bread and butter." The claims highlight tensions between government policy goals and industry practices.
For residents, the dispute raises questions about transparency in permit approvals, enforcement of local-hiring commitments, and the effectiveness of training schemes in delivering real jobs in the yachting sector. The Labour Department and other ministries have not published a direct response to the specific allegations detailed on the broadcast.
Primary source: BVI News