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Minimum wage soon to be reviewed!

- Minimum Wage Committee to be formed in weeks to come
The minimum wage in the VI is $4. Photo: conservativesolutions.co
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A Minimum Wage Committee, which will be tasked with coming up with a decent minimum wage package, will be formed in a few weeks Virgin Islands News Online was reliably informed.

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick Pickering is expected to make the announcement, and according to our source, individuals from various spectrums of the Territory’s industries will be part of the group.

“The Minister will place his confidence in them to investigate and come up with a figure which they will present to him...it will not be wise to suggest to the Committee a figure,” the source added.

Feedback from the public will be crucial; therefore the source hinted the Committee will hold meetings to ascertain “whats on the minds of the people.”

The current minimum wage is $4 per hour which many say is too low.

On February 28, 2012 during a labour meeting on Virgin Gorda (VG), Hon. Pickering had stated that employers who are still paying minimum wages to its staff “right now” is really being a little unfair.

“The Labour Code gives the Minister the authority to set up committees of various sizes that he or she feels fit that will enhance the work of the Code. One of such committees that could be set up is a committee to review the minimum wage. And I know the former Minister [Omar Hodge] had already started to put that, in fact he had already started to put a team in place to start looking at the minimum wage...because we start to recognise that it is an issue that needs to be looked at. In the not too distant future it is something that our Government will be looking into and to see how best we can address that. For any employer right now who pays somebody minimum wage is really being a little unfair, you know in today’s context. But we will find a way to deal with this as time unfolds,” the Labour Minister had assured residents.

13 Responses to “Minimum wage soon to be reviewed!”

  • peter tosh (07/06/2012, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "i dont like soon come"
  • my wiew (07/06/2012, 09:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SMDH..... minimum wage is certainly too low but what about those like me who working for 5 years at the same pay. no raise while cost of living goes up.... mr. minister some of these companies take advantage of the system and dont mind seeing their own ppl suffer while they get rich. i wish that something cud be done but we all know that our labor issues in the BVI will never get better, even with a raise of minimum wage. its a corrupted system that no one have the ballz to fix
  • Crank Shaft (07/06/2012, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on DOC, cut this bulls$$$! How many times we going to form committees for the same thing? Schuuups! We had a committee for cost of living for how long and nothing reported or being done. Now you all come with this ? Cut out the bulls$$$ and let's get results! The same behaviour you have for the Airport you need to have with labour and these other issues. Cut through the BS and let's push these things, not awaiting no fluff committee. You all will stack these committees with business people who don't give a heck about working class people. This is a time to show the people you care for the common man, stop playing around man. I agree this should be carefully looked into as it will affect businesses, especially small ones, but I think everybody regardless of politics are sick of hearing of appointed committees every second and years pass without results.
  • Pure nonsense (07/06/2012, 10:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    leave minimum wage where it is. fix the rising food prices and bank interest rates
    • How (07/06/2012, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why would we leave minimium wages at $700 per month when we know people cannot live on that without doing something "extra" to make ends meet. Remember this affects everyone socially. Something needs to be done about the behaviour of the banks and the merchants to make life easier and living affordable for everyone, but exactly what is the question. How may we fix bank interest rates? or consumer prices? Pretty sure government would like to hear your suggestions.
      • Pure nonsense (07/06/2012, 11:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Those two issues can be fixed but look at who owns some of the businesses and who are the officers in some of these banks. It is something the Government will not touch! Yes, you speak of social but what about the economical which will propogate the social? People will get laid off cause businesses cannot afford the increased cost of labour; some small businesses will close down. People who are out of work due to this will have to look for work in a society who is depending on an unemployment rate that is 11 years old. Lastly, Government takes suggestions from their regular 'YES' cronies. People like me who like the hardlined approach coupled with the truth will not be given the time of day. I know cause I have tried talking to both administrations but 'some' of its members are blinded by the love of money!
  • Off the Bat (07/06/2012, 10:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The word not out the Minister's mouth good, and Wanna Yardie first to respond, but dem nuh like soon come....(..meaning I am getting it done soon). Implication is, 'we want it now'. What wrong wid unnuh eeeeh? Have respect for the Minister and his intentions, rather than trying to cast doubt. That is close to home; remember she sits on the right hand of the throne. Blessup!
  • ooooo (07/06/2012, 11:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    minister kadahfi didnt form no committee for the airport decision, so why he have to form one for this now?
  • hm (07/06/2012, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    $4?? I don't know why I keep thinking it's $5
  • ausar (07/06/2012, 13:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think it's quite neccessary and timely. "Cutt Man" would be quite pleased IF this committee can actually produce results!
  • under the bus (07/06/2012, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just more blah blah blah to fool the lil man..the facts are with the business class who buy the elections in power this is not going NO WHERE and they know it!!not now or never
  • clear the air (10/06/2012, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    please government do something about the minimum wage we living from pay check to pay check.


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