Premier apologises for minimum wage fiasco
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has apologised to workers and business owners for deferring a long-awaited minimum wage increase, acknowledging the widespread inconvenience caused by delays in implementing the policy.
During the budget debate wrap-up in the House of Assembly recently, Premier Wheatley admitted that competing priorities, including international obligations and budget preparations, had disrupted the wage increase process.
The new minimum wage, which should have taken effect from November 30, would have moved workers from $6 to $8.50 per hour. However, the government announced earlier this month that a policy decision had delayed the increase until the first quarter of 2025.
“I just want to apologise to any employers or employees who were disadvantaged in any way,” Dr Wheatley said. He attributed the deferral to a change in ministerial portfolios and a demanding schedule that included travel to the United Kingdom and intense budget discussions.
The Premier stressed that the government remains committed to implementing a revised minimum wage but is keen to proceed cautiously to prevent unintended consequences for workers, businesses, and consumers.
“A significant hike in the minimum wage will have financial implications for business owners and consumers,” Dr Wheatley explained. He added that several business owners had expressed concerns about potential payroll increases, which could force them to raise prices or cut jobs.
Termination letters
Dr Wheatley revealed that some employers had already sent termination letters to employees in anticipation of the wage hike. “These things have significant implications,” he noted. “But I can say that persons should have no fear—we will have an increase to the minimum wage.”
To mitigate the potential impact, the Premier proposed phasing in the increase gradually and suggested the government may raise its current $10,000 tax exemption threshold to ease the burden on businesses and workers. “Very early in 2025, we’ll make a decision about potentially increasing the exemption, so that government has a stake, businesses have a stake, and that the employees will have an easier time,” he explained.
The Premier further explained that his government is trying to avoid a steep price increase that will hurt the entire population, including the persons it is seeking to help. “I know businesses have to plan. I know they need enough notice,” he stated. “So, it is my goal to resolve those policy issues rather quickly and give businesses a good lead time to implement.”
The minimum wage in the Virgin Islands has remained at $6 per hour since its last adjustment in 2016. Calls for an increase have grown louder amid rising living costs, prompting the government to commission a report on wage adjustments earlier this year. The report recommended an increase to $9 per hour but cautioned that additional measures would be needed to cushion the economic impact.
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Where you at bro ❓️ YOU MADE SURE ALL MINISTERS ALLOWANCES ETC WERE TAKEN CARE OF / AND WE AIN’T HEAR ANY COMPLAINTS FROM THEM (maybe one) AND THE POOR GOT THROWN IN THE GABBAGE ( AND DTILL NO COMPLAINTS FROM THE HOLY MINISTERS , WHO IS HOLLERING OUT ( WE GOT THE INTEREST OF OUR PEOPLE IN OUR HEARTS ( WHICH HEART Y’ALL TALKING ABOUT ,❓️ IS IT THOSE Y’ALL WALKING ON ❓️ , ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS , / THE WAY YOU TREAT THE LADY IS A REAL EXAMPLE ) WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THAT TO YOUR MOM IF SHE HSD THE POSITION AND WAS LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE ,❓️ uuuuUUUUMMMMM
Don’t want your apology. Apologize for the free quarter of a million dollars that you give away to bring a criminal ………. Apologize for the twenty million that mysteriously took flight and disappeared into thin air. You can keep your half baked apology and kick hot rocks down the pot hole laced roads. Shame of you and your disgusting unprofessional behavior Mr. Premier. Shame on you.
The minimum wage should be revised every four years, with increases set on a predictable schedule to give businesses time to prepare. Suggested increments of $0.50 to $1.00 per year would gradually raise the minimum wage, but these increases would not be mandatory until the official revision. This approach ensures businesses have sufficient time to adjust their budgets and operations, reducing the likelihood of sudden financial strain or employee layoffs. By implementing this structured plan, businesses cannot claim they were caught off guard, while workers benefit from a clear path to improved wages over time.
Can anyone or do anyone knows if the Premier,Deputy Premier and others, the chosen ones received Christmas bonuses?
It’s mainly the down-islanders that are affected.
That’s the BVI business model: get people with skills and a work ethic in from other places to do the work then treat them really badly; bad pay, no votes and use the immigration and work permit system to control them.
Nice!
Your apologies is not accepted. Why? because your apology is not genuine, it is not heartfelt. That is reason I am not accepting your apology.
Why is the Premier apologizing for the minimum wage fiasco? Well he caused suppressing the minimum wage increase a fiasco. He should know because he is I charge of the fiasco. Moron.