6 mths later: Still no minimum wage increase!
This means that 6 months after the document recommending the increase was brought to the House of Assembly, the minimum wage to be paid by law in the British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands (VI) remains at $4.00 an hour and not $6.00.
Virgin Islands News Online has been trying to find out what is Government’s position on the increase being put into effect and was told that Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering will make an announcement soon.
This is according to Director of Communications Arliene T. Penn who released this information on behalf of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley.
This news site had approached Mr Smith-Berkeley for a comment but several calls and texts to his phone went unanswered. However, when this new site’s reporter showed up at his office last week he advised through his secretary that we should make our inquiry through the Director of Communications Mrs Penn.
"The Government of the Virgin Islands continues to move forward in different ways, through its many initiatives, to improve the standard of living for all and at the same time build a better Virgin Islands. One such initiative is the increase of the minimum wage. Indeed, the implementation of the new minimum wage is in the process,” said the brief email from Mrs Penn.
Announcement to come at 'appropriate time'
It then went on to say that the public should expect an announcement on the issue from Dr Pickering.
“The Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering will make an announcement at an appropriate time following amendments to the legislation,” said the message.
The message from the PS in the Natural Resources and Labour Ministry said too that the information will be important for employers who are preparing to implement the new wages put forward by the Committee.
“Additionally, I am encouraging the public to listen out for the education awareness campaign regarding the introduction of the new minimum wage which is very important in this process as it is essential in preparing proprietors of businesses to make budgetary adjustments, as may be necessary."
There was some degree of misinformation and confusion when Dr Pickering (R7) presented in the House of Assembly (HoA) a recommendation from the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee.
Dr Pickering presented the recommendations for a minimum wage increase from the current $4.00 to $6.00 on November 2, 2015 to the people of the Virgin Islands, laying the document from his appointed Minimum Wage Advisory Committee on the table of Parliament at the Fourth Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly.
However, what is important to note before the increase can take effect is that the same Minister must return to the House of Assembly with regulations to give effect to a minimum wage increase, assuming that the National Democratic Party (NDP) government has accepted the recommendation for an increase.
To date no regulations have been enacted to increase the minimum wage, therefore the $4.00 per hour is still in effect.
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36 Responses to “6 mths later: Still no minimum wage increase!”
The word on the street is that legislation is eminent to award the airport extension contract to a Chinese company but is showing no interest to giving those at lowest end of economic ladder a measly $2 per hour increase.
Minimum wage being increased to $10- $12 will just mean that a loaf of bread will be $12 and a bag of sugar $10. It's funny to read stuff written by folks with little or no knowledge of how an economy or business really work. You're going to pay someone $12 a month base salary to be a cashier or pump gas here in the BVI? Give me a f***** break.