Gov’t actively considering hiking minimum wage
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has stated that his government is actively considering calls to increase the territory’s minimum wage, which now stands at $6 per hour.
The Premier said Labour Minister Lorna Smith will be leading the efforts regarding a possible increase, but added that his government recently held a discussion on the matter.
“We recently discussed the possibility of updating a study because, of course, those things can’t be done outside of a study. Of course this is something under her (Lorna’s Smith’s) responsibility and I don’t want to preempt her or even steal her thunder. Let’s just say it is something that is under active consideration by this administration,” Premier Wheatley explained.
Calls for an increase in the minimum wage have intensified in recent months as individuals say the cost of living has skyrocketed since the pandemic, which triggered inflation all over the world.
People are also calling for a hike in the minimum wage because they say local businesses continue to engage in price gouging — increasing the prices of goods, services, or commodities to a level much higher than what is considered reasonable or fair.
Although the topic of minimum wage increase has resurfaced in recent times, there has been a longstanding debate about it for many years. Many say the territory’s low minimum wage is the reason some locals refuse to seek employment.
They also say the minimum wage is one of the main reasons businesses owners find foreign hires attractive, especially the ones who come from economies that perform below that of the BVI.
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The government should not still be CONSIDERING this matter. it has been shelved for far too long and its clear the effect it is having on the economy and crime. Cost of living is way to high to still have the minimum wage so low. Its a crime against the people. How are ppl who dont make a hefty salary expecting to continue to survive this way. they talk about ppl sleeping in cars, and it should be so, but yet still wanna pay hard working ppl pennies! enough talk more action.
No problem – do what you do Mr. Premier. Just be sure that you have an understanding of basic economics.
Government tells private sector to pay higher wages, then costs go up for businesses, costs are added to the sale of products, and the consumer will pay. It is a simple question of margins.
The only real benefactor in all this is Government taxes because your net margins in tax collections will be higher. That way more corruption, and good money for your cronies.
At day’s end, the only benefactors of such a hike will be the Government’s accounts, and those that benefit most from cronyism and Government contracts.
Some basic economics for you all! 😉
If you stop and thought a little clearer a increase in minimum wage should go hand in hand with the elimination of import duties of basic day to day supplies that are imported. Foods and domestic supplies most importantly!
There is no vision at all here. No thought! Not even the most basic of understandings – talk, talk, talk!
and lower taxes simultaneously!
Government need to turn loose some wort through the place
if the minimum wage is raised then concurrently consumer protection laws should be passed, and some import duties should be reduced or removed completely!!
Who is the economist that the Government relies on? Do these people have common sense? The persons on minimum wage will simply pay more for goods/services when their salaries increase. WHY? BECAUSE THE PROVIDERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES ARE NOW PAYING MORE IN WAGES SO WOULD NEED TO INCREASE PRICES TO MAINTAIN MARGIN AND PROFITABLITIY. Why is this so hard to understand? The minimum wage and the cost of living should be reviewed holistically but simply increasing the wage will not resolve anything as pricing/access would be adjusted accordingly.
Raising the minimum wage means nothing until you all implement “CONSUMER PROTECTION”. If minimum wage goes up $20 an hour it only means the prices will rise at the grocery stores. Stop taking us for fools. Implement Consumer protection!!!! But y’all wont because half of y’all politicians have shares in the different supermarkets (rolling eyes and annoyed)
Seems like Lorna is the premier and Natalio is there for the frequent flying.
Raising minimum may help workers to a degree but raising wages without a proper consideration of all of the contributing factors of a robust economy is only going to lead to more problems. Don’t worry we have Premier Sl** Wande and the A** Clown Brigade, they will get yo the bottom of things even if it takes 100 years
but what about persons who are not getting a raise of pay for years
I doubt if anyone is still working for $6 per hour.
@ Salty Fish, I agree with everything you wrote. Nothing further to add on my part.
A rise in minimum wage is way overdue. Ask any parent and working person on the street.
However, overall wages across the board, including the payment of all increments must be the economic path forward. Anything less is just a farce.
Because, given that there is no protection of the consumer by way of teeth biting and enforced laws that service the consumer, it will not help the consumer past the first week.
The business community will take every dollar the consumer receives away. It will raise its prices by gouging and greedy means, and there will be no consequences for doing so.
Moreover, the said business community is the power brokers. They control the house; it is the occupants and the law making process of the HOA.
Hence, there will be no change in the consumer affordability and existential index of the consumer in this territory.
It will take a complete cleansing of the elected body from the house and replaced with minds that are supportive, understanding and sympathetic of/to the economic plight of the electorate and working classes of the territory. As, this current bunch is clearly not.
The territory is being held hostage by economic terrorism, known as excessive and uncontrolled greed, price gouging, heartless business practices and no accountability t no government entity nor any consequences.
Finally, there are mothers and children who are neither seen nor heard but are hurting and suffering tremendously trying to survive on meager wages while fighting exxorbitant prices.
The government got to be and do better.
This move will kill the small business that is struggling to make ends meet.
So where do people think this INCREASED minimum wage will come from? Do you think the businesses have a printer in the back that they plug in every pay day? If a business is not making money how can they pay you more? All this will lead to is increased pricing and downsizing so be careful what you wish for. The Government needs a real plan instead of f**king with people every few years, pretending as if progress is on the way.
Consumer protection is a made up thing. The only thing Government can do is lower duties on certain items and mandate that the stores do not make above a certain margin on those said items, usually referred to as ‘basket of goods/necessities’. That’s it, that’s all. Government cannot tell people what to sell their overall goods/services for as the market determines pricing.
The harsh reality is that when Government had opportunities to address the economical situation after Irma then after COVID, they totally dropped the ball. Now you have legit businesess, most of whom got NO HELP at all, being threatened with legal action if they can’t pay SSB, NHI etc. while struggling to make a profit/stay afloat. These same institutions will now be asked to pay more in salary while having less of a consumer base to target as people are leaving the BVI in droves. What the BVI needs right now is STIMULUS!!!! If businesses get assistance, the rest will work itself out. It’s easy to demonize businesses and make it seem as though they’re all flush with cash and just greedy but who feels it knows it. Try owning a small business in the BVI in the current climate.
the reality of the situation is if they cannot pay SSB and NHI and tax then they should not be employing people to do the job, they also do not have a viable business and need to close and go and work for someone who will pay the SSB NHI and tax.
STIMULUS STIMULUS STIMULUS businesses that are functioning do not need handouts, handouts only keep people above the water for a little time and then they will sink and then the tx paying employers will have to foot the bill for people that do not know how to run a business and all they want are handouts.
Small busineeses will make it if there is a need for their services , the ones that dont were not needed in the first place.
Lifes tough but thats the Reality
I suspect very few people are actually working for minimum wage.
Its actually very hard to find staff in BVI.
Almost impossible if you pay only $6 per hour.
I suggest the duty free on food price for residents, lower the duties on building products for first time homeowners. I do not see giving more money make much sense. Take a cap at 15k tax free for all working people.
The only taxes has to be a decreased to ensure the money move around in this territory.
thats easy just ask the consultant ( mr FRIG •¿• he outsmarted the coach , so it looks like they are still reading from his script
Raising minimum wage means nothing until you understand workers.
If I bring in a domestic worker to BVI , pay them over minimum wage, provide
housing
Transportation
Utilities
Free ticket to the tune of over $3,000
Pay work permit renewal fees
Sign a liability ticket with immigration for over $3,000
Domestic worker runs out my internet and nibble on my food all day while waiting one or two years to slide into an office job WHO IS REALLY WINNING HERE!
BVI get it together
A broad brush approach will not work not when BVI has organized Labour mafia migrant interest groups now. EMPLOYERS ARE SUFFERING TOO. locals work like dogs to maintain their unequal paying jobs and hire domestic workers to fill the child care and home cleaning gap while barely making ends meet.
Fix immigration and Labour policy and consumer protection and while you’re at it check into who is really losing while you choose to ignore wage non transparency!
LET THE GOVERNMENT SIT AND SMOKE THIS VERY REAL PIPE FOR A WHILE.
I just want to leave this territory. What waste. 15 years since civil servants dont get a raise and u want to fight corruption. What a waste.
Raising minimum wages at this time is ludicrous. The poor small businesses will have no choice but to close their doors. Who is really advising this premier? There must be a balance, and a proper study should be done. Also, it needs population to drive the economy, which helps to reduce cost, and our population is dwindling every single day, so as the population gets smaller, the cost of living will continue to rise. Honestly, this is just a tip of the iceberg. We haven’t seen anything as yet.
If you truly believe that no one is working for minimum wage then you are seriously out of touch with reality. Look around, talk to people and open your eyes.
Anyone, anyone who does not see the need for some financial reief for the general masses, working people, mothers, fathers, children, babies and the poor, given the exxorbitant pricing of goods and services of general survival commodities and others, are evil, heartless, cruel, devils satanic demons and others.
Most of the comments here kicking up a storm about the ills of and why raising of the minimum wages is a bad thing are more than likely all greedy, addicted to money, hungry, evil, heartless, cruel, business folk.
The people have no protection from the terrorism that is price gouging and pricing greed that is become indemic in this country. It is a sad day in paradise.
They will suffer everyone to full their pockets with much more that they need to live, eat and grow their bellies without a conscience for their fellow man who the’re robbing daily.
Yet, at the end of the day, they will leave with nothing but their food for the celestial worms.
Yes, great Topic but quite unfortunate as some Bloggers have already said; What happen to the Trade Commission? well there goes the Consumer Protection Legislation. Minimum Wage and Cost of Living should go Hand in Hand but ask the Deputy about the above stated Legislation. When minimum Wage increases, which it should, Merchants will increase their Goods and Services prices and there will be some Job losses in some instances. Even when the Merchants are given a break on import duties on some items that saving is not passed on to the Consumers. Sad to say it but it is truth, this Government has no clear plan on how to take care of or make life a lil easier for its Citizens. Just check who demanded what Ministries and that alone can tell us where their priorities lie. Some people went into Politics just to protect themselves and their Families. Yes, I said it.