TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC):
A digital work permit system will become operational in this British overseas territory in June of this year.
The announcement was made by Deputy Premier and Labour Minister Lorna Smith, who told legislators that the initial phase of implementing a digital platform for work permit processing started in 2021, but was discontinued because of capacity constraints within the Labour Department.
She explained that with new insights gained from the design and rollout of the original prototype, her ministry procured comprehensive labour management software, along with transition management support services.
Smith said this new software will address workforce management and work permit functions.
“The necessary software maintenance and support services will cost US$120,000 annually until the Department of Information Technology has developed sufficient capacity to provide them in-house,” she said.
“I would like to underscore the ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the digital platform for work permit processing is not only effective and efficient, but that it’s also capable of meeting the diverse needs of all stakeholders, including employers, employees, and the Department of Labour & Workforce Development.”
She said the government contracted Januvation Solutions, Inc. from January to July of this year to ensure a smooth and effective implementation of the labour management.