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Minimum wage increase to $8.35 takes effect in USVI

As of yesterday, June 21, 2016, the minimum wage in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) rose from $7.25 to $8.35. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- As of yesterday, June 21, 2016, the minimum wage in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) rose from $7.25 to $8.35, thanks to a bill authored by Senator Jean Forde and signed into law by Governor Kenneth E. Mapp in March.

According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, state governments have the right to set a higher minimum wage than the current federal minimum wage rate. To date, 29 states including California, Florida, New York and New Jersey have enacted legislation increasing their state’s minimum wage. Studies have shown that increasing of the minimum wage does not have a negative effect on small business, as some have claimed, and in fact contributes to an increase in the overall health of local economies.

“This is a tremendous victory for working people, as the plain fact is that the minimum wage of $7.25 is simply not enough to live on,” said Mr Forde when the bill was signed into law. “It is heartbreaking to see people going out and working hard every day, only to find that their paychecks cannot meet even their most basic needs.”

After this year’s increase, another increase of $9.50 will take effect on January 1, 2017, and another increase to $10.50 on January 1, 2018 — so as to not shock businesses set to absorb the added cost. Additionally, the tourist service industry and restaurant workers who are tipped employees must be compensated at a rate of not less than 40 percent of the prevailing minimum wage.

Federal minimum wages have not been increased since 2010, while the cost of living has seen a sharp uptick throughout the country, particularly in the US Virgin Islands where the cost of electricity alone has risen by 11 percent between the years of 2010 through 2015.

“Adjusting the minimum wage to take into account the increases in the cost of living, especially around such basic necessities as food, rent, and clothing, will go a long way to eliminating the “working poor” in our community and improving the overall quality of life for all of our residents,” said Governor Mapp.

“While this step is not the answer to all of our economic development and opportunity needs, it is a significant step in the right direction,” he added.

15 Responses to “Minimum wage increase to $8.35 takes effect in USVI”

  • cay (22/06/2016, 16:11) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only we in the bvi joking yall
    • Twice a charm (22/06/2016, 17:04) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      To cay, NDP gang is not joking; it is deliberate. They are dragging their feet on this one because of who all own the businesses in their circle. They seem not to want to acknowledge the positive effects of the greater “virtuous circle.”
      • Agree (22/06/2016, 18:44) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
        But come next election, that is when the gang is going to put the raise on the table to fool people so they can get the vote. Don't let the gang fool you this time around.
  • wise one (22/06/2016, 16:43) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    What can be the explaination to the people of the Virgin Islands why the finial decision on the minimum wage is not released yet. Dr Pickering we are still waiting, the NDP gone to sleep on this one and messing up big time. I think only GOD and lots of prayers can get us out of the mess we are in.
  • Hard Days (22/06/2016, 16:44) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are in the hardest of times, somebody please hear our cry for help we .
    • Not said (23/06/2016, 08:52) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      No one is going to here your cries for anything.
      • True (23/06/2016, 13:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Crying is not going to do anything because no one cares. You have to do you. The only thing anyone can do is F()k it, do the best that they can.
  • suffering (22/06/2016, 16:51) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    and it got people over working for below minimum wage and still have to pay NHI
  • wow (22/06/2016, 18:13) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    4.00 an hour is slave wages
  • qc (22/06/2016, 18:16) Like (22) Dislike (6) Reply
    NDP should kill ayo not a dime
  • regret voting for NDP (22/06/2016, 21:32) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NDP is a set of scams.. they will promise he people to vote back in saying they will raise the minimum wage. I tired say election voting is only for the poor. the minimum wage ppl are tricked this the reason why they always gets in. And NHI , Now soon tax raise . they don't care about the voters who get them in. They are all gimmicks.
  • Voter Too (23/06/2016, 08:36) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well all we have to do is take it to the Lord in Prayer.
  • Cheap (23/06/2016, 15:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nobody can possibly live off of $8.35. Don't change it based on your cheap mindset, change it based on how someone can actually survive in this damn place.
  • *Hmm (24/06/2016, 12:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    “This is a tremendous victory for working people, as the plain fact is that the minimum wage of $7.25 is simply not enough to live on,”

    Well what u leave for us in the BVI to say. $7.25 would be a huge welcome from the $4 we at now. I've come to the conclusion that the NDP are willful, heartless, uncaring, spiteful, dutty minded SOBs who are punishing us & holding us hostage for their own gains. Its to a point now my anger for them has turn into sheer hatred & disgust. Tears come to my eyes not for myself but for my children who after I'm gone are at the mercy of these pricks & the damage they causing to this country.


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