Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
Here's the story:
======================
Former HOVENSA Workers in US Virgin Islands Get $7.8 Million Federal Grant
By the Caribbean Journal staff
The US Virgin Islands will be receiving a $7.84 million National Emergency Grant from the US Department of Labour to assist more than 1,200 workers impacted by the closure of the HOVENSA oil refinery in St Croix.
HOVENSA was the territory’s single-largest employer and the largest oil refinery in the Caribbean.
“The HOVENSA refinery’s closure was a significant blow to many workers, as well as the community at large,” Labour Secretary Hilda Solis said in a statement. “The federal funding announced today will provide reemployment services to help individuals impacted by the layoffs find good jobs in high-growth industries.”
The grant will help prepare dislocated workers for employment, with $3.63 million to be released in the first stage.
The remainder of the funding will be released as the Virgin Islands demonstrates a continued need for help.
“Today’s announcement reflects the Labour Department’s commitment to address the effects of HOVENSA’s closure on the St Croix community and the federal interagency collaboration needed to address the challenges faced by all US territories,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement.
===================
Who wants to wager that most of it just *disappears* into pockets unknown?
Posted : May 21, 2012 7:18 pm
Here's a question ... not a sarcastic, snarky or rhetorical one ... just a question ...
Does anyone know an individual impacted by the HOVENSA layoffs who is staying on-island and is in need of reemployment services?
Everyone I know who was impacted by the HOVENSA layoffs is either already gone, packing, or planning to go.
Posted : May 21, 2012 10:17 pm
As stated in the article quoted, 1200 direct (i.e. local) employees are affected. The other 950 of the total 2150 employees are contract workers. Likely the ones you know are among this group who have gone or are preparing to leave.
Posted : May 21, 2012 11:07 pm
I have to wonder, just like LisaB...where will the money "disappear" to? It wouldn't surprise me if the VI Gov't ends up with it in their greedy pockets to do ... "who knows what" with. I doubt it will actually be used to help displaced Hovensa workers. Just my opinion tho.
Posted : May 22, 2012 12:44 am
Topic starter
Jbatl, I know several who are staying. But the article states just that the funds are to be used to "provide reemployment services to help individuals impacted by the layoffs find good jobs in high-growth industries.” That could be a job off-island I suppose.
I wonder if this grant also will be used to assist those Hovensa employees who were laid off in March of 2011. I know of at least one of them still on the island who has survived by just doing odd jobs, and could use the help.
I really hope the money goes where it's supposed to. And sooner rather than later for their sake.
Posted : May 22, 2012 11:42 am
There was an article on this last week in the paper. DOL stated 1130 impacted workers on their register that would be eligible under this program. That equated to around 6,900 per worker, assuming the program used the funds as intended. That pays for a lot of job-skills training, but the real question still remains - what jobs are available to this workforce?
Posted : May 22, 2012 1:50 pm
I have to wonder, just like LisaB...where will the money "disappear" to? It wouldn't surprise me if the VI Gov't ends up with it in their greedy pockets to do ... "who knows what" with. I doubt it will actually be used to help displaced Hovensa workers. Just my opinion tho.
The money is not being handed over willy-nilly and specific guidelines have to be met as it's distributed (incrementally). You might find this from the DOL of interest:
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20120936.htm
The USVI historically sends back many thousands of dollars in unused grant money to the Federal DOE every year. Maybe some of the naysayers on this forum who have a fiscal background could use their knowledge to assist the local government in both distributing the money and keeping all the necessary records to meet the many guidelines and deadlines.
Posted : May 22, 2012 2:15 pm
That would be me..Laid off...staying....
Posted : May 23, 2012 10:30 pm
