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

‘Tourism workers highly exploited!’ – Hon J. Alvin Christopher

Chairman of the People's Empowerment Party (PEP) Hon J. Alvin Christopher (R2) has denounced the continued exploitation of workers in the tourism industry as it relates to minimum wage. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Chairman of the People's Empowerment Party (PEP) Hon J. Alvin Christopher (R2) has denounced the continued exploitation of workers in the tourism industry as it relates to minimum wage.

He was speaking on Monday evening October 27, 2014 during a PEP radio show on ZBVI 780 AM.

“Sad to say that this is one industry that is highly exploited and even though there is a policy in place as it relates to withholding tax for service charge, you get so many complaints from persons who work within this industry that people in this industry withhold that service charge and then turn around and use it as wages,” Hon Christopher said.

“That is a vexing matter within the Labour Department and one that we hope the Minimum Wage Committee [would address and make sure it is not continued as is practiced],” said Christopher on the show.

The party said that while it is calling for an increase in the minimum wage, it recognizes that doing it blindly in a soft economy as is experienced now could do more harm than good and said perhaps that increase could be phased over a period of time.

Many persons have been calling over the years for an increase in the minimum wage and this has prompted the Government to put together a committee to examine the issue with a view to making recommendations to Cabinet.

14 Responses to “‘Tourism workers highly exploited!’ – Hon J. Alvin Christopher”

  • vip (01/11/2014, 09:33) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    seems like you doing much better than the VIP that seems dead....
    • cay (01/11/2014, 11:14) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      blah blah blah blah blah
    • Interesting (03/11/2014, 07:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am actually surprised. He seems to be a much better politician than Fraser and Fahie. His messages make more sense and are not negative just for the sake of being negative.
  • shaw (01/11/2014, 10:15) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Christopher has been bringing up more basic issues not based on pushing big projects and spending money for little return- but starting with basics before building. That is the beginning of sustainability in the economy.
  • DA VOICE (01/11/2014, 10:33) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    ST THOMAS MINIMUN WAGE IS OVER $7,AND THEY WANT IT GO TO $10. IT NEEDED NO COMMITTEE INCREASE THE PORT CHARGES,REGARLESS TO THE SMALL WAGES BEING PAID IN THE BVI, WHEN OUR POLITIAN GOING TO GET THIS DONE, $6 PER HOUR CANT HURT NO ECONOMY. IM TIRED OF THE EXCUSES. WE THE PPL HAVE TO START PROTESTING.
  • ndp hater (01/11/2014, 10:59) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Kedrick and the NDP aint doing jack shhhh!!!!!
  • Disinterested (01/11/2014, 13:14) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    If Mr. Christopher would play some sort of attention to the district he was elected to represent, then maybe somebody will take him serious. Mr. Christopher, please SHUT UP!!
    • Vision (01/11/2014, 14:27) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      why you don,t shut up and help give ideas to make things better,we are here for each other,one hand can,t clap.
  • long look me come from (01/11/2014, 15:46) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    While i am no pep fan one thing for sure the ndp must go
  • pat (01/11/2014, 17:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I had NEVER heard of such from NDP or VIP but I commend Alvin for speaking truth to power
  • for real (01/11/2014, 20:07) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here a former minister of Labor saying this now, makes me yawn
    again these jokers was in position to do all they are here promising
    as if they just wake up from this long napp.

    Go sit down my friend, the sitting government need to take them good
    ideas and run with them.
  • cat (03/11/2014, 23:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep on them Alvin


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.