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Minimum wage announcement coming this month- Premier

- said increase will be a phased approach to allow businesses to adjust to new wages
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley will make an announcement concerning the phased implementation on the increase in minimum wage in February 2025. Photo: GIS
An increase of $2.50 to the minimum wage in the Virgin Islands was approved and was set to take effect on November 30, 2024, before being postponed to 2025. Photo: Internet Source
An increase of $2.50 to the minimum wage in the Virgin Islands was approved and was set to take effect on November 30, 2024, before being postponed to 2025. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley was a guest on Tola Radio's 'Da Morning Braff' on February 4, 2025. Photo: Facebook/Tola Radio
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley was a guest on Tola Radio's 'Da Morning Braff' on February 4, 2025. Photo: Facebook/Tola Radio
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI- The government of the Virgin Islands (VI) plans to give an update on the phased implementation of the minimum wage increase sometime in February 2025.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), speaking on ‘Da Morning Braff’ on Tola Radio (100.5 FM) this morning, Tuesday, February 4, 2025, said he would be the one to make that announcement.

Phased approach to allow businesses to adjust

The minimum wage increase by $2.50 per hour from $6.00 per hour was announced last year and was supposed to take effect on November 30, 2024, however, due to varying circumstances, its implementation had to be postponed. 

The announcement, two months passed the initial implementation date, will detail when the minimum wage will take effect, Premier Wheatley said. 

“We will see an increase in the minimum wage,” he promised, “I know businesses have to plan ahead, so I want to give them advanced notice. So we will see an increase. Most likely, it will be a phased increase you know, we increase a certain amount, allow businesses the opportunity to adjust themselves to that amount and then we’ll review and increase again over time.”

Premier Wheatley again said the government is exploring the feasibility of extending “the tax exemption from ten to fifteen thousand”. 

This, he said, will allow the government to share in the “burden” of increased wages with businesses. 

“We want to share that burden, government give a little, businesses give a little,” Premier Wheatley said. 

Cost of living needs to be monitored- Premier Wheatley

Dr Wheatley added that attention must be paid to the cost of living and relayed a conversation he had with one business owner who said increasing the minimum wage across all their businesses would see wages increase by three to five hundred thousand dollars. 

“Quite naturally those costs would have to be passed on to the consumer, so we make things more expensive,” the Premier added, “Some of the same persons that you think you might be trying to help, you might be hurting them by making the cost of living go even higher.” 

The Premier also said when things such as increasing the minimum wage are done, it needs to be done “holistically”. 

15 Responses to “Minimum wage announcement coming this month- Premier”

  • Herbs Powa (04/02/2025, 14:50) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    Lorna single handedly put vip in power. Now the premier took her plan and looking to gain more power .
  • pension (04/02/2025, 15:15) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    The pensioners little pennies also needs to be increased Mr premier. Who's really looking out for us??? Cost of living up with us
    • @Pension (04/02/2025, 18:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      it is common for all pensioners to receive increases when public servants see an increase
  • STRPPPSSS (04/02/2025, 15:32) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    At this point, keep it.....sound jus like u look.....like a waste of time.
  • tola (04/02/2025, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    That ain't no money
  • ... (04/02/2025, 16:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    that means about 7.50 - 8.00 we looking at smh . cost of living going up regardless. people need money.

    cant even properly buy a tray of eggs these days. a whole $8-$12 for a dozen. so we got to work 1 hour to afford some eggs?
  • Wellsah (04/02/2025, 16:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep your lil change for the illegals getting paid under the table
  • Sowande again (04/02/2025, 16:08) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Boss an increase in the tax exemption for lower income owners is a better way...Lower income owners only. Don't give the rich and wealthy more.
  • LOL (04/02/2025, 16:14) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    I now announce... that I will make an announcement at some point in the future... your government working for YOU!
  • lmao (04/02/2025, 16:49) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    They are holding back on the money to pay the illegals in the Territory working off the books. Why can’t the salary be at least $12.00 per hour.
  • Berris (04/02/2025, 17:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Madam that would never happen they don't want to pay 9dollars a hour must lest 12
  • citzen (04/02/2025, 17:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    help poor people we are suffering with high cost of living and rent
  • More Slavery (04/02/2025, 18:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Any bulls*** to say ah say something. Its all about protecting the rich making sure they continue to live lavish while poor people slave and suffer. Imagine a so called freedom fighter pulling this on his people as soon as he achieves power.

  • Stealth (04/02/2025, 19:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is poor policy change management. Why announce an implementation date if the policy was not ready to be rolled out? If the increase were to be phased why not an integral part of the legislation ?? Does the bill have to go back to the HOA? The delay is costing the lil man who are already struggling. The delay makes the government looks like bungling clowns who cannot effectively manage the simplest of tasks . This is an unforced error, reflecting the green team inexperience.


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