usvi-on-line
Why?
Why?
My wife and I are now on St. John for the fourth time. We've visited many spots in the Caribbean, but we've rarely seen so few West Indians employed in local food service jobs.
We do occasionally see West Indians working in the shops in Mongoose Junction and Wharfside Village, but nine times out of ten, our bar or restaurant server will be a young white person, probably living here temporarily.
So we're curious. Is there some reason why the West Indians (living here permanently) don't get these jobs?
TM
We do occasionally see West Indians working in the shops in Mongoose Junction and Wharfside Village, but nine times out of ten, our bar or restaurant server will be a young white person, probably living here temporarily.
So we're curious. Is there some reason why the West Indians (living here permanently) don't get these jobs?
TM
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
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Because they don't apply!
There are many jobs on STJ, not all that we see.
The Westin and Caneel employ many West Indians as do the markets. There are tons of hotel and resort jobs on STT that employ STJ residents as well.
The WAPA and Vitelco office, the ferry companies, and rental car companies provide jobs as well.
They are not being turned away from these jobs, they just don't want them.
There are many jobs on STJ, not all that we see.
The Westin and Caneel employ many West Indians as do the markets. There are tons of hotel and resort jobs on STT that employ STJ residents as well.
The WAPA and Vitelco office, the ferry companies, and rental car companies provide jobs as well.
They are not being turned away from these jobs, they just don't want them.
From my point of view, the USVIs attract people (of all ages) because not only it is beautiful, it is very easy to relocate and get a job because they don't need visas, work permits, etc. It is comparable to moving across state lines as opposed to moving to another country.
Having worked food/bar service jobs in my younger years, it can be a lot of fun and those types of jobs have an almost built-in instant community, which when combined with the lifestyle of STJ, must be a magnet for "younger" people looking to avoid the daily grind of the mainland lifestyle.
Having worked food/bar service jobs in my younger years, it can be a lot of fun and those types of jobs have an almost built-in instant community, which when combined with the lifestyle of STJ, must be a magnet for "younger" people looking to avoid the daily grind of the mainland lifestyle.
I mostly disagree with Xislandgirl. Other islands you've been to in the Caribbean have laws that compel hiring of long-term residents/belongers, which is of course not the case here. Almost all restaurants on St John are owned by people from elsewhere, and they prefer to hire people who look and speak like themselves. There is a constant fresh supply of them every season.
While it's true that what you might call "ancestral" St Johnians are not always keen on service positions, the black West Indian population on St John is overwhelmingly from other Eastern Caribbean islands, and they came here to work--they're just not hired by St John restaurants.
While it's true that what you might call "ancestral" St Johnians are not always keen on service positions, the black West Indian population on St John is overwhelmingly from other Eastern Caribbean islands, and they came here to work--they're just not hired by St John restaurants.
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Based on my time as a STJ restaurant worker, I really disagree, Hugo.
I have been the person that helped the owner of a restaurant on STJ find wait staff. Not a single West Indian applied in the 3 years I was employed there. In fact, I would have preferred a life long resident of the island on the team as opposed to the transient kids that left when they ran out of money.
I don't want this to turn into a huge debate, but as an island resident and business owner, you know many STJ restaurant owners. Are you really saying that they will not hire a West Indian? Because in my heart of hearts, I do not believe that.
I have been the person that helped the owner of a restaurant on STJ find wait staff. Not a single West Indian applied in the 3 years I was employed there. In fact, I would have preferred a life long resident of the island on the team as opposed to the transient kids that left when they ran out of money.
I don't want this to turn into a huge debate, but as an island resident and business owner, you know many STJ restaurant owners. Are you really saying that they will not hire a West Indian? Because in my heart of hearts, I do not believe that.
Re: Why?
ToonMann, you are there now...why don't you ask them yourself?ToonMann wrote:My wife and I are now on St. John for the fourth time. We've visited many spots in the Caribbean, but we've rarely seen so few West Indians employed in local food service jobs.
We do occasionally see West Indians working in the shops in Mongoose Junction and Wharfside Village, but nine times out of ten, our bar or restaurant server will be a young white person, probably living here temporarily.
So we're curious. Is there some reason why the West Indians (living here permanently) don't get these jobs?
TM
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
> ToonMann, you are there now...why don't you ask
> them yourself?
> -Bert
Oh, I will, Bert. But I won't be able to come up with a representative sample. That's why I turned to the multitudes here for their insight.
It seems that the larger the company -- WAPA, Westin, Caneel, etc. -- the more likely a West Indian might be employed there. So maybe it's a matter of better benefits . . . West Indians don't want the temp jobs that are more suited for kids from the states who just want a few months of employment while having fun in the sun?
TM
[/quote]
> them yourself?
> -Bert
Oh, I will, Bert. But I won't be able to come up with a representative sample. That's why I turned to the multitudes here for their insight.
It seems that the larger the company -- WAPA, Westin, Caneel, etc. -- the more likely a West Indian might be employed there. So maybe it's a matter of better benefits . . . West Indians don't want the temp jobs that are more suited for kids from the states who just want a few months of employment while having fun in the sun?
TM
[/quote]