Labour Tribunal hearings on hold till new chairman appointed

The Labour Arbitration Tribunal has suspended all hearings until a chairman is appointed to the post.

This was confirmed by the Minister for Labour Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull.

The previous post was occupied by local attorney Jamal Smith. He was appointed to the post back in August 2020 and his appointment lasted for two years. Smith was the first Virgin Islander to assume the position.

“The Labour Tribunal Chairman, his appointment ended I think it was at the end of July. So, we are actively seeking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour. We have advertised to continue to try to have that position filled [and] without the chairman of the board, the cases cannot be heard,” Turnbull said.

Three days ago, the government released an advert seeking applications for qualified people to fill the vacancy.