Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

PVIM promises annual bonus, increased tax threshold

The PVIM Leader, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), was at the time speaking to a weekend rally, held on Saturday, January 19, 2019, in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI – Under a Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Government, productive public servants will be guaranteed, permanently, an annual bonus, in addition to an increased tax-free threshold, for all workers, up to $15,000.

This, according to PVIM Leader, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), who was at the time speaking to a weekend rally, held on Saturday, January 19, 2019, in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola.

Election Promise

In a well received PVIM ‘election promise,’ Hon Skelton told those attendance, “…there are four things I can do directly for you as Finance Minister, I can increase the tax free amount to $15,000—probably for three years until we study it further—we can reduce government waste within the first term and if successful, implement a permanent 13 month salary (annual bonus) for all productive public servants.”

Smoke & Mirrors

The PVIM Leader was adamant, “do not be fooled by fast talkers and those trained in the art of exciting your emotions, using smoke and mirrors.”

According to Hon Skelton, the 13 month salary is being done in countries that are far poorer that the Virgin Islands (VI).

He spoke too, to a greater engagement with insurance companies in order to work out a plan aimed at reducing premiums paid, in addition to returning banking and other such services to the Sister Islands.

These were among the commitments made by Hon Skelton, as being issues that can be addressed in an urgent manner.

16 Responses to “PVIM promises annual bonus, increased tax threshold ”

  • Feel n Sad (22/01/2019, 08:24) Like (23) Dislike (16) Reply
    I believe you Ronnie . I believe you will do as promise . You are that kind of person . It is so sad that you didn't break away from NDP before the internal election .. Doing it after put a shadow much doubt as to your reason and motive. Right or wrong.you can't blame anyone for feeling that way ...U R definitely the best man to lead us ...that's a hurdle you have to get over ....
  • Jacperlance (22/01/2019, 08:32) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    Ronnie were you part of the sitting government for the last 8 years? Why now, you don’t have to be finance minister to implement these things. Have you ever bring up theses same ideas to you other colleagues when you were sitting with them making decisions. Come on now, all theses things are fancy talks, smoke and mirror promises. With the state of the economy right now (credit to the NDP), can we really afford these thing maybe within the next 10 years? My people, please do not be fooled by these con-artists
    • @jacerperlance (22/01/2019, 15:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      $5,000 at 8% tax is giving $400 in a tax break. That is quite doable as you will give the population $4,000,000 back to circulate within the community. Government may not have it directly but it might stop some of you from begging the politicians for more money. This is sensible and Ronnie should pursue it. He can lower the district allocation system where only some people get this money from politicians and give it to you directly so that all people can benefit and take care of their own house.
  • Cart Before Horse (22/01/2019, 08:55) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is like putting the cart before the horse. Now that our treasury is empty, what would stir the people is to tell us how we are going recover. how is the economy going to bounce back. These same civil servants were promised increment 2 moons ago, and to date how much was granted?


    Talk is really cheap, we are so accustomed to empty promises that you people think we can be fooled again. Where is the money going to come from? what is the state of our treasury?? Where is the 90 million you all promised was in the kitty for the increment for civil servants? When was the last audit of our books, honest and real audit that is, not a make up cook up book to fool us. Wheel and come again.

    Even bringing legislation to persecute politicians for miss management of public funds would be more acceptable and believable. How are you going to give what you do not have??? Even the grade one kids know that this is impossible. Again, wheel and come again.
  • VG voter (22/01/2019, 09:02) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    LOL....Ronnie Really???? We were expecting that increase to $15,000 longgggggggggggggggggg time ago. You make me laugh this bright Tuesday morning. You who so TIGHT with finances will probably NEVER see the need to this. Wheel and come again Skelton.
    • wow (22/01/2019, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      Have me dying with laughter too! He must be talking to people who born yesterday! Boi gowan golong!
      • @VG voter (22/01/2019, 15:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        It an be done for the first three years as a Hurricane Irma tax break and I welcome it. The money will be recirculated in the economy so no real loss to Government.
  • Diaspora (22/01/2019, 10:05) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is election season and everyone is promising any and everything. The campaigns are saturated with promises, promises. What is next the sun will rise in the West? One of the tenets of political campaigns is to over promise even if the promises do not bear fruit, for most voters will forget what promises were made and there will be no painful penalty. On the other hand, if no promises are made, one probably is not going to get elected. What voters need to confirm is 1)how will promises be fulfilled, 2)how they will be paid for, 3)when they will happened, 4)what is not going to get done (opportunity cost), 5)will taxes and fees be raised and if so for his long........etc.

    No doubt civil servants need to be paid a living wage and be recognized and rewarded for superb performance. However, the service is bloated (will get blasted for this but it is all good) and needs to be analyzed and changes made. The pension unfunded liability is a millstone around taxpayers next; it is a problem so we cannot pretend it does not exist. If any politician touch the civil service issue, I will consider eating my shoes.
  • WHAT!!! (22/01/2019, 11:17) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    “Public servants will be guaranteed an annual bonus”. Regardless of their work performance ??? NONSENCE any bonus must be related to productivity.
  • hi (22/01/2019, 11:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This sounds great but with the current financial climate, how exactly can you promise this. So much to be done and the treasury needs all the monies. This is just talk
    • @hi (22/01/2019, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There needs to be a balance between who needs the money. You need it to. Why give the Treasury only. What have they really done with it. They will survive.
  • RealPol (22/01/2019, 11:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Diaspora, eat your shoes (are they Bruno Magli?). Well, no need to worry, for politician will not touch it with a 100 metre pole. The system will have to collapse under its own weight.
  • dude (22/01/2019, 14:28) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Lies...he same one didn't give the civil servants their increments sometime back
  • Silly Rabbit (22/01/2019, 16:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tricks are for kids LOL
  • Non-Belonger (23/01/2019, 15:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Promises made and promises unkept. Try some other tricks.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.