Our newsroom was reliably informed some six months ago of the possible appointment of Red Cross Director Stacey Lloyd as the new Labour Commissioner. 

At that time, our newsroom reached out to then Minister of the subject Honourable Lorna Smith on the matter who said that it was under consideration, but was being ‘shelved’ for the moment. 

The conversation and queries on the appointment reignited just a couple weeks ago with our newsroom being inundated with calls and messages in relation to the appointment, up to this morning Wednesday November 27th, with most expressing concern that Ms. Lloyd was not from the Territory, and that they found the appointment offensive, and had grown weary of Virgin Islanders being sidelined, while ‘outsiders’ take up crucial roles in Government that Virgin Islanders should hold. 

One caller spoke to Ms. Lloyd’s ‘bold stance of not being from the Territory, and identifying as a US citizen and quite often portraying the image of a proud Dominican’ on her Facebook page.” the caller stated.

We have come to learn that the appointment is allegedly now stalled in the Governor’s Office due to certain unverified concerns. 

Just a few months ago, former Minister for Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith had appointed Trinidadian Lincoln E. Bobb as Deputy Director of Trade, a decision that appeared to again upset Virgin Islanders. 

Stacey Lloyd is the present Director of the BVI Red Cross and owner of Synergy HR BVI. 

Mervin D. Hastings is currently the Acting Labour Commissioner, following the retirement of Mrs Michelle A. McLean late 2023, and the Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley is now the Minister responsible for Labour.