BVIPA workers to get increments, compensation for reduced pay

The BVIPA’s cargo facility in Port Purcell, Tortola.

The Board of Directors of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) have approved one year of increments to be paid to its employees.

Premier Andrew Fahie said this will be paid to all BVIPA workers “upon successful completion of their performance appraisal by the first quarter of 2022”.

“This [payment of increments] has been made possible due to your government’s many successful policies that significantly contributed to the positive surge being experienced in our economy despite the ongoing challenges created by COVID-19. We thank the staff of the BVIPA for their hard work and continued dedication to the Authority during the pandemic, which is ongoing,” Fahie said in a statement issued earlier today.

Compensation for hourly-paid workers

The Premier further announced that Port employees who were affected by the reduction in hours at the start of the pandemic will also be compensated.

When the pandemic first hit, the BVIPA decided to reduce the work hours of its hourly-paid staff because its operational needs had decreased. 

As a result, these employees were only paid for the hours worked and they took home less than they would have under normal circumstances. 

“All Port employees whose hours were reduced in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 will receive a one-off ex gratia payment from the BVIPA. I am glad to have the workers at the BVIPA recognised for their invaluable service,” the Premier said today.

Fahie also expressed his gratitude to the management of the BVIPAA for the work they have done during the pandemic and also highlighted how his government’s policies have contributed to the sustainability of the Virgin Islands economy over the same period.

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