Premier apologises to retirees left out of salary increases
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has apologised to retired public servants who were not included in the recent salary increases awarded to active government employees, pledging that pensioners will see a boost in their benefits in the upcoming budget.
Speaking on the government’s Virgin Islands Voice programme, Dr Wheatley said the omission was an oversight and promised that it would be corrected.
“I sincerely apologise to the pensioners who did not get that increase along with the public officers,” he stated. “If I knew it was the practice, of course, we’ve just made the money available for the salary implementation of a new salary… but it’s been brought to my attention that when we have upgrades to the salary, the pensioners are taken care of at the same time,” he explained.
Dr Wheatley said his administration intends to raise the pension benefits of retirees in the upcoming fiscal year. He added that officials are examining whether the adjustment could be applied retroactively but noted that this will depend on the territory’s financial position.
“I’ll have to check with the financial secretary to see whether we can afford to make it retroactive, but certainly moving forward,” he stated.
The Premier said the government plans to introduce regular reviews of pension payments to ensure they keep pace with the cost of living. “We could tie it to the Consumer Pricing Index, so to speak, tie it to inflation so that they get increases along with inflation every few years,” he added.
Earlier this year, the government spent roughly $30 million to implement pay rises for public officers, with some receiving close to 100 percent increases. However, the adjustment did not extend to retirees, drawing criticism from some members of the public.
The issue of pension reform has been a long-standing concern in the Virgin Islands. In recent years, advocacy groups have called for a more structured mechanism to review benefits and to ensure fairness between active and retired officers.
Dr Wheatley described the situation as a “learning experience” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting those who dedicated their lives to public service. “I think what we need to do, similarly to public officers, is to have regular reviews of the pensioners’ benefits so that we could ensure that they keep pace with the cost of living,” he said.
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Retirees have been complaining about this for nearly two years now and all we get an apology? For God in heaven sake.
OUR MASTER , IS SAYING )> MY PEOPLE PLEASE “FO-GIVE ” ME , IT WAS AN ” HONEST MISTAKE ” AND I SWEAR NIT WON’T HAPPEN “AGEN” ( I WAS KINDA BIZZY WITH ME & ME ODDA GOVERNMENT MINISTERS SALARIES INCREASES DAH I CLEAN FO-GEH AH-YO / BUH DOH WORRIE AH GAH AH-YO IN MEH TAUTZ ( CSC & WIGGIE LETS HEAR Y’ALL HOLLER OUT ON THIS LAME EXCUSES , BOTH .OF YOU PLSYING – JUDGE JURY AND EXECUTIONER ON EVERYBODY , ( BUT THEN AGAI NOTH OF YOU WANT TO GET UNDER HIS WINGS , SO THAT IS A LOST CASE .
What about Social Security recipient’s increase?? Been waiting for that for years!! Needs be the same increase as government retirees!!!!!!
Keep in ind we mostly voters!!
“The Premier said the government plans to introduce regular reviews of pension payments to ensure they keep pace with the cost of living.” so basicaLLY IS TO HELL WITH US in regards to keeping up pace with cost of living, i could tell yah
whenever he talks all i hear is blah blah blah
You too? I tune him out one time and change whatever it is that monotonous sounding voice is saying.
Now tell me is the mind of a leader plus head of BVI finance. His thing is to make sure he/his is talento care of to hell with the rest. What about Social Security recepiants. My Life is what has the BVI afloat always begging borowwing from Social Security
So when they were increasing public officers pay as well as doubling theirs, not one politician remembered us the poor retirees? That speaks volumes. ☹️. And it’s not as if pensioners have not been crying out. For years they have been pleading with the government to increase their pensions as the little pittance they are getting each month can barely buy food. Sad.☹️
Our Premier is a genius! He is proposing that the retirees pension is increased with inflation. Wow we have never heard about this before, no other country does it and BVI will be the first ever! I am so happy to have a Premier who can think up of such novel ideas. Give me a break! You just showing us why you should not be our Premier and Minister of Finance. How could you not know this when you increased the pension of former legislators (and of course your own in the process) because they were complaining that it was too low. Lies and more lies about you not knowing. VIP must GO!
Caribbean Prime Ministers Salaries: Top 6.
Bahamas: $86 000
Guyana : $91 700
Trinidad: $105 538
Barbados: $107 744
Jamaica: $ 163 495
BVI : $ 253 283
With a salary like that, no wonder you forgot the poor pensioners.
Point taking .
Im a Virgin Islander kudos to you as a Belonger. Atleast you have dual rights . That list of Independant islands is not appealing to go and seek jobs. smh
I don’t know how the other retirees are feeling I as a retiree than helped paved the road for you and others, your apology/apologies is not good enough for me.
The saying goes, it’s easier to apologise than to ask permission. Apparently it’s also easier to apologise and say you didn’t know. So there are Emissaries and advisers, et al. Didn’t any of those people know about retirees needs? Of course what was said years ago by one good “honorable” gentleman about being the Minister and not having to listen to anyone, is the template. They just all follow it and if the people notice and say something then just say sorry and keep it moving. Of course that good gentleman of yesteryear had a cookie jar. So Premier just put your hand in the cookie jar again and upgrade the pensions since you now know.
Sometimes am apology or explanation does not fix anything. Too much deliberate s**t happening in this country.
This report is truly disappointing.
First of all, despite his education, Nathalio continues to display a level of pettiness and immaturity unbecoming of a man in his position. When it comes to financial matters, he is meticulous—but not in a fair or balanced way. He goes out of his way to ensure that those he dislikes are denied compensation, even when it is fully justified. He also seems to resent seeing others progress or succeed.
Let’s not forget, this is the same man who once claimed that retirees were putting a strain on Social Security. Nathalio had no genuine intention of increasing the pay of retirees or civil servants. He only did so because he knew he was about to approve a massive salary increase for members of the House of Assembly, and he wanted to soften the inevitable public backlash.
His claim that the retirees’ omission was merely an “oversight” is nothing more than a tactic to calm public outrage and divert attention from the fact that legislators awarded themselves more than double their previous salaries. He’s well aware that his constituents in the 7th District will not support him in the next election because of his actions, so now he’s desperately seeking ways to recover politically—such as proposing the expansion of the runway to win favor. To add insult to injury, he doesn’t even seem to know what’s in the government’s coffers. He has approved a $2 million increase to his travel budget, a pay raise for legislators, and a $100 million loan for road improvements and other unspecified purposes—yet there are still no clear plans for generating revenue or attracting investment to create jobs for our people.
Let’s not forget that only 29% of the workforce consists of BVIslanders, and neither Nathalio nor his advisors appear to know how much money is actually in the treasury, as the financial reports remain outdated. Despite this, he continues to encourage frivolous and unnecessary spending. This is the unfortunate result of having a Premier and Minister of Finance who lacks the technical knowledge, qualifications, and experience required to manage a nation’s finances—especially someone without a degree in finance, economics, or accounting. My only advice to Nathalio. Please go home. The Seventh District does not want you, and the people of this country do not want you. You have brought our economy to a standstill. Retire with the millions you’ve accumulated—which you do not deserve—and take your associates (your brothers) with you. Go back to wherever you came from. We do not want independence. We need leaders who truly care about this country.
Basic manners is serve everybody else first and do yourself last.
Listen up good people this boy is not guarenteing any increase for us retired. He said people when the next budget comes if there is any crumbs Left Behind you will get It .Señor
You can keep your apologies and shove it. The pensioners was push to the side with no thought whatsoever while you greedy set was just looking out for your greedy selves. Like I stated, keep your apologies and shove it.
Real Good Leaders think about the people first, not their own pockets.
Next budget is far too late, you ensured your pocket was lined almost immediately, rectify the pensioners increase ASAP. Or at least make it retroactive from the date of HOA increase, that would be fair!
it must be retroactive from the date of the current working public servants. that one in the 5th district thinks he is so smooth, but his mind is bad. wake up district 5 please wake up.
Do they have any legislation they get right first time?
The struggle and economic suffering of the retired seniors with referrence to pensions and social security benefits, are such a severe problem that it’s crippling the retirees and elderly abilities to make ends meet, feed themselves or pursue medical imperatives with specialty medicine overseas. especially..
Many have given up on their representatives as they exhibit a cold and callous attitude when approaced for help.
And it’s a failure by 13 elected officials to demonstrate empathy or care to not recognize it and to not be working on oa solution before they graciously enriched themselves.
For the retirees who prepared and created a business or rented apartments – they may be able to hold their head above water. But the fact is with inflation they still struggle! Social Security really needs an over haul in general regarding benefits. The same benefit percentages sense Noah’s ark ….
Vote VIP out
this dude really think we are idiots out here. it was not an oversight when you went up by how many percent. Step down, you and tour team including Fraser and do come back.
All the way retroactively.
Of course he forgot about the retirees ,along with the others in the HOA too busy increasing their own saleries by such a huge amount.
You cannot take an apology to the merchants if you cannot purchase your goods
Where was his financial advisor?
Where were his cronies rhat support
In cabinet
Tou
Mean not one of them thought about pensioners
Shame on you
Guess what BVIslanders will
Piut back his government right there
Anyone can apologize or issue an apology but that does not mean the apology is sincere.
The salary comparison of Caribbean leaders is mind blowing. Our premier is really making a killing off the tax payers’ $$$.
THE BIG YOUTH IS A GENIUS , and now we are experiencing some of his hidden talents • with a little help from skelie who could not unite and form the government , he used it to his advantage ( and two members who’s minds he played with and now they became his humble servants , one bounced over & and rolled over , even with all the criticism that they had thrown at him , now they are to defend their new master with their lives if nessesary (especially) now after that sneaky salary increase . on the streets , it’s said ” it was worth it , looks like they know something we don’t – so more power to them .
Moses is saying )> ah kno al-yo ain’t go believe me , buh on-estly tarkin , it wuh a ” on-est mistake ” ah wer busy checking mah salary wid out muh calculator, so dah kinda tro me off ,sorry bout dah .