60% of public officers classified as ‘working poor’
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has stated that some 60 percent of government workers can be classified as “working poor”, promising that his government is actively working to improve the condition of these people who deliver vital public services.
During the budget presentation, the Premier revealed that the consultants who are working on the compensation review for government workers, found that $23,719.80 per annum is the lowest wage that persons need to live a decent life in the BVI.
They found that 17.3 percent of government workers were earning below that amount. The reviewers also found that another 42.6 per cent of government workers were earning just about $23,719.80 per annum but this isn’t enough to help them save, settle debt, plan for emergencies and investments.
As such, the Premier used the term “working poor” to refer to these workers. The term is usually used to refer to working people whose incomes fall below a given poverty line due to low-income jobs and low familial household income.
“It is unacceptable for approximately 60 per cent of our public officers to be working poor, with no hope of being able to meet their basic needs, their bills – or to save not just for a rainy day but to advance their social conditions. They must be released from this frustration and hopelessness,” Premier Wheatley stated.
He reiterated that this is the reason his government is pressing for the compensation review and job classification exercise that is expected to improve the salaries of government workers.
“One thing that we must all be committed to achieve is that no public officer will be earning less than the living wage. We have allocated close to $10 million in the budget to achieve this goal,” the Premier added.
The Premier also revealed that the Compensation Review and Job Classification report highlights that residents are barely getting by on the current minimum wage of $6 per hour in the private sector.
He said this is the reason the Minister of Financial Services and Trade, Lorna Smith, is creating a forum for all stakeholders to come together and discuss what can be done about the current minimum wage.
At the same time, the Premier warned that the government cannot decide on what the new minimum wage should be. But he said he is optimistic that solutions can be found once stakeholders — such as private sector employers — are brought into a national discussion.
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Have the reviewers been able to determine how many full time govt employees are also running multiple private companies on the side? Using govt vehicles for personal and side business purposes? I have personally interviewed job candidates who when questioned admitted they were already a full time govt employee and had several companies of their own yet were seeking further employment. Someone might want to do some investigation here…
No they have not factored that into their assessment.They only want to pander to sentiments of persons who quite frankly need to stop believing that government owes them a high paying job. Government does not produce any essential real materials or services that contribute towards industry or real GDP. They regulate, tax and offer social programs which should be done as efficiently and cheaply as possible. You want more money then you need to make yourself marketable to the private sector or start your own business with your own resources. What will governments role be in a recession with this type of attitude: tax the hell out of persons that start their own business?
When I read “working poor” I thought he was referring to their performance.
Their work is of poor quality.
Probably the percentage would be 95% and not just 60%
Gee, that is double minimum wage so how can they complain? If it is appaling to the Premier then why hasn’t he raised the minimum wage for everyone?
Government workers aren’t any more deserviving of a “living Wage” than the rest of humanity.
Wages need to be evaluated all around. Not only government workers are suffering. Everybody on minimum wage or under or close to that annual amount is suffering. Even those making $35000.00 a year is suffering. So I could imagine the pain of those making less than $30000.00 yearly. I know someone only making $19200.00 a year, not even making enough to pay their rent and to buy substantial necessities! WE NEED TO DO BETTER!
Some expats only get 15,000/year
Being retired on BVI Social Security is no bed of roses.
some people may be poor because you are the one that is trying to stop progress…IT IS you who is stiffling people you heartless and when you dont get what you want you victimise and then pretend it is not you,,,,,, the audacity of you ……..as the lady say kings walking and whores riding Cadillac and planes …but guess what that s**t done done done done……. go and find work I beg you because you WILL BE needing it soon……….
Is someone peeing on my leg and telling me it’s raining?
What “decent life” can anyone live in the BVI being paid $23,719.80 per annum?
And what is considered “decent” here? Who defined decent living?
There is no way in my view anyone can live a decent life in the BVI on such small wages. No one can save anything with that small salary. It’s barely enough to keep a roof over your head and keep food on the table.
Sometimes reading news stories like this, I feel badly about my earning (Which I shouldn’t be because I investing many years of my life in getting a good education); but I do feel terribly for people who are in these situations.
Not intending to brag or impress; however, that $23,719.80 per annum I make in less than a day most days!
Therein lies the value of a good education, and good career planning. Government salaries are typically on the low side compared to the private sector.
I would urge anyone who is making that minimum and wish to increase their earning potential to up their game. Invest a little more in improving their skills or education. Consider stating some entrepreneur endeavor.
You don’t have to have a college degree to make good money but it helps a lot in managing your money later.
Watch your spending like a hawk inclusive of the number of children you have which are money eaters.
By the legal hook or the crook, change your circumstances or else remain a “working poor” forever fighting for increments that will never change your status as a “working poor” at the end of the day.
Somebody got to the do the government’s work, but it does not have to be you. Be smart about your life and the choices you make. Up your life’s game.
so you make more than $8.5million a year , perhaps if they taxed his income earners properly the country would be btter off and keep them blogging s**t.
Looks like you are doing some math. LOL. Good for u. Want a reward cookie?
Well @ least you have some perspective from my point of view that despite I have done well in this life, I can still understand the plight of others despite my hard earned sucess. I have been there and done that.
But let’s not loose focus here. This is not about me or taxing people like me. This is about paying people a living wage.
Right now the government is balking about increasing the minimum wage from $4 to $6. Imagine that. So stay focus.
I and people like me who made good life choices, made lots of sacrifices and busted out @$$es are not the problem. It’s your innept government and your greedy politicians that have you in this fix.
The govt says about $ 24k a year is minimum to live on. This then solves the minimum wage question for full time work: $ 12/hour.
That said, consider the following budget: rent $1,000, utilities $ 150, phone and internet $75, car insurance+ gas $ 150. Leaves you with $ 5-600 mo to eat and drink without factoring in NHS, taxes erc. Not a lot especially if you’re a family.
Love your attempt to analyze the situation. The cheapest insurance for vehicle I found in Tola is 375.00 third party, rent 1k to 1.5K unfurnished.
Fruits and vegetables are crazy prices which I believe NHI should cover in rebate. 4 squeeze oranges 1$ at 1 per day you need at least 8$ in orange per month. These are the basic, there is nothing more a person working for that salary can afford. Worst if they are children involved.
So, I would say who cannot afford it do not stay in the country thinking things will change. Such societal ailment will contribute to support the rich while the poor remain at the bottom. In my conclusion,it is expensive to be poor, health will depreciate quicker, stress set the bar of survival and in all of it the poor lose as their life span decreases. It is not a happy state of mind.
What about the retirees, if the the working officers are poor?
the wages in the BVI seem to be high enough to attract thousands of down islanders, Filipinos and other ex-pats to work here. Of course all this immigrant labor has to obtain work permits and other BVI government licenses but they all seem to earn enough money to live here and send a large portion of that income overseas.
Seems that the politicians assessment of public service wages in the BVI is completely fabricated.
I’d say thar can be explained by needs and motivation, and the general grasping of the concept that there is no free lunch. Many from here feel entitled to govt jobs, salaries, and benefits that don’t require much effort if ant.
You can never get the best of the best if that is what you are paying people. This is less than $2000 per month. OK take out the rent and then food and utilities. How the hell can they live? And then they not paying Water and Sewerage employees overtime. If you are that evil to your own people I am sorry for expats.
Where there is cheap labor there will be poverty. Ent the government allow the big Mack to hire only Asian. of course 60% are living poor.
if our coach is taking consultancy lessons from ( csc ) the city slicker or just being taught the * moonwalk * / whatever it is , it looks like a FRIG in the making ■ talk on the streets is that the holy one has turned ghost and is lieing LOw
Wow baloney
Raise miniinum wage
Jail employers who take iut money for wirkers SS and NHI and does not pay in
Thenn tou cannot gst goid standing too much injustice in the kand sin is heavy on this nation
How many times the minimum wage increase in the last 35 years? Why they have to do a study, meanwhile rent went up, food prices, light bill went up, cost of living and surviving went up no study had to be done. Anyone who pays out half or more of their salary for rent is struggling no matter the salary!!