Labour Dept. is aware of 20 Cases of Work Permit Fraud

By Mellica McPherson

As of 3 January 2007 work permit holders will be trading in their antediluvian old yellow 3x5 work permit card for a brand new durable, full-colored, professional, and holographic work permit ID card. This announcement was made by the Minister responsible for Labour Hon. Eileene L. Parsons and Labour Commissioner, Ms. Myrna Ferdinand, at a press conference on Tuesday 10 October.

Both ladies described the upgrade as a necessary step to combat work permit fraud. It was disclosed that there have been incidents where work permit holders removed the photo that is stapled to the current work permit card and passed the card to someone else who stapled their photo onto it and used that tampered permit to enter the Territory. The officials averaged that they have had reports of at least 20 such cases, and said that they would not be surprised to find out that additional perpetrators have committed such or similar work permit fraud without being discovered.

However, the Minister responsible for Labour announced that the launch of the new permits is long overdue and is a very welcome event.

The Labour Commissioner, Ms. Ferdinand explained that, unlike the current system, where the holder’s photograph is stapled to a 3x5 card with limited information, and is susceptible to fraud, this new system will provide a resilient and proficient work permit ID card to BVI permit holders. In addition she disclosed that the new ID card is better designed, and includes added security features, such as an electronic signature of the Labour Commissioner and the Card Holder, the work permit number, employer’s name, date of issue, expiration date, permit type, occupation of holder, conditions of issue, date of birth of bearer, their social security number, and a coloured and watermarked photograph of the bearer. 

Minister Parsons added, “This new holographic system will provide a durable full coloured professional work permit identification card to permit holders.” Media persons were shown samples of the new permit card, and observed that it features hidden text in the background, that is only visible under a fluorescent light. All of these features, Ms. Ferdinand said verify the authenticity of the work permit card and make duplication difficult. The new work permit system was provided to the Department by Advanced Business Systems (ABS) of Barbados for a discount cost of $31,380.00.  Two printers have been installed in the Territory, one at the main office in Road Town and the other at the department’s Virgin Gorda office.

Holographic cards are used for photo identification, security cards, access keys, bank and credit cards, and licenses.  This is the first time the technology is used for work permit cards in our region.

ABS also provided training to staff members of the Labour Department in July.