{"id":128531,"date":"2021-05-06T12:26:56","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T16:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=128531"},"modified":"2021-05-06T12:26:56","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T16:26:56","slug":"letter-gemma-handy-clears-up-misconceptions-and-inaccuracies-surrounding-reports-of-her-immigration-status-and-renewal-of-work-permit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/letter-gemma-handy-clears-up-misconceptions-and-inaccuracies-surrounding-reports-of-her-immigration-status-and-renewal-of-work-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"LETTER: Gemma Handy clears up misconceptions and inaccuracies surrounding reports of her immigration status and renewal of work permit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Letter to the editor,<\/p>

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I wish to clarify a few misconceptions and inaccuracies surrounding reports of my immigration status and application for a renewal of my work permit.<\/p>

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Firstly, I started the renewal application process before my previous permit expired. Collating certain documents to accompany it took several weeks \u2013 plus additional time when I went to submit it and was told of new rules requiring additional documentation. By the time it was officially handed over to the Labour Department, it had indeed expired for the reasons above. For the duration of the process, I have been in constant dialogue with the department and twice updated time extensions in my passport to allow me to remain in the country.<\/p>\n

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The day I was informed I could not work until the renewal had been approved, I left the office and did not return. (Due diligence had clearly been undertaken previously when my original permit was processed and rules on working while one is being renewed remain ambiguous depending on who you speak to.)<\/p>\n

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Not once did I request \u2018special treatment\u2019. I abided by the mandate to stay home \u2013 unpaid. I called the Labour Department a few times to check on progress. I was consistently told it was being processed and wasn\u2019t ready yet. (The minister has been misinformed that I was told permits were being laminated in bulk; whoever was told this, it wasn\u2019t me.)<\/p>

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Not once did I request anyone\u2019s assistance. It wasn\u2019t a secret that I was at home waiting for my permit to be renewed. The fact that some people thought this was suspicious is purely their view, not mine \u2013 and I am not going to speculate as to why they would reach this conclusion. I also have no reason to believe that anyone suggesting such is connected to my employer; not a single person at Observer has communicated anything of the sort to me.<\/p>\n

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To anyone who asked me about it personally, I gave the same response: I told them I had every confidence it would be approved. I was informed yesterday that it was ready for collection; it took three months to process which appears to be standard.<\/p>\n

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Not once did I suggest there was any attempt to silence the press. There are far easier and subtler ways to attempt to silence journalists than something so overt.<\/p>\n

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I have the greatest respect for the laws of this land which has been my home for many years and of which my parents have been proud citizens.<\/p>\n

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Frankly, I am still a little aghast my personal business became the subject of news reports \u2013 twice. So it is with great reluctance I feel I need to respond. As so often in life, the truth is way more banal.<\/p>\n

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Finally, thank you to everyone who has spoken out in support of my work. Journalism \u2013 everywhere in the world \u2013 is tough slog, poorly paid and generally thankless. As I have told everyone I have ever helped train, we do it because we are driven by something bigger than us. For that, you are very much appreciated.<\/p>\n

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Gemma Handy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also Read:<\/p>\n

Gemma Handy’s work permit has been approved says Labour Minister<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n