BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS–Call made for suspension of all new work permits.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – A local political commentator is calling on the government to suspend the issuance of all new work permits until the territory completes its national census and obtains what he says is accurate data on the size and status of the population.

Speaking on a radio program, Claude Skelton Cline said policymakers lack the information needed to make informed decisions on labor, infrastructure, and public services.

“If I were in charge, I would move to put a complete pause on all new work permits,” he said. “I need the census to be completed. I need to know who is here. I need from immigration the status of individuals who are here, their current status.”

Skelton Cline also argued that immigration authorities should demonstrate that existing laws and regulations are being effectively enforced before additional work permits are approved.

He maintained that the absence of reliable population data is undermining government planning across several sectors.

“I don’t know how we could just keep an open door in this country. We don’t know who’s here. We don’t know how many people are here. We don’t have accurate data. We don’t have complete information. And yet we’re making decisions,” he said.

The commentator urged the government to address what he described as significant information gaps before introducing further policies affecting the territory.

According to Skelton Cline, any suspension of new work permits should remain in place until officials have gathered sufficient information to guide decision-making.

“We’re being overrun in this country. We’re not managing. The country lacks the care and attention that it needs,” he added.

Work permits remain a recurring policy issue in the British Virgin Islands.

The government has introduced digital processing through the Labor Management System, temporarily suspended new applications for some ministerial work permit exemptions while developing clearer eligibility guidelines, and continued reforms to the territory’s labor and immigration framework.