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$7.25 minimum wage to take effect July 1, 2025- Premier Wheatley

A new minimum wage of $7.25 will take effect in the Virgin Islands from July 1, 2025. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) made the announcement about the new minimum wage during his 2025 Territorial Address on the occasion of the Virgin Islands Party’s (VIP) second year in government at Maria’s by the Sea on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) made the announcement about the new minimum wage during his 2025 Territorial Address on the occasion of the Virgin Islands Party’s (VIP) second year in government at Maria’s by the Sea on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A new minimum wage of $7.25 will take effect in the Virgin Islands from July 1, 2025, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced.

The Premier made the announcement during his 2025 Territorial Address on the occasion of the Virgin Islands Party’s (VIP) second year in government at Maria’s by the Sea on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

The new minimum wage of $8.50 per hour for the Virgin Islands (VI) was initially set to come into effect on Saturday, November 30, 2024; however, in a bulletin from the government on December 3, 2024, a postponement on the increase was made “on account of a matter of policy”.

According to Premier Wheatley, considerable work was done to prepare for the increase to the minimum wage.

“Beginning 1 July 2025, a new minimum wage of $7.25 will take effect. This initiative reflects my Government’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation for our workers, particularly those who are most vulnerable to economic pressures.”

‘Phased approach’

Dr Wheatley said the increase will also be done in a “phased approach”.

“Through extensive public consultation and dialogue, we have been able to appreciate the varying concerns from the different stakeholders, including business owners. Hence, the increase is being implemented in a phased approach, carefully considering the economic climate and potential impacts,” Dr Wheatley said.

The minimum wage in the Virgin Islands was last increased on October 1, 2016, from $4.00 per hour to $6.00 per hour.

13 Responses to “$7.25 minimum wage to take effect July 1, 2025- Premier Wheatley”

  • LOL (21/05/2025, 15:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LMAO
  • Bitter Sweet (21/05/2025, 15:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    On the back of trump tariffs with zero price control. Wonder how this will turn out.
  • hmm (21/05/2025, 15:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    The reason for the change from $8.50 to $7.25 is bull$%!&it. why not give the people a far minimum of $9.00 to $10.00 a hour.

    we also need to work on the price of these apartment's and stores.

  • BuzzBvi (21/05/2025, 16:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And despite commissioning and paying for a report which is now of course more wasted money we raise the minimum wage to a meagre $7.25. Helping who do we wonder?
    This following is what the people who spent time investigating concluded before the one man band, (I know better than everyone) decision of our dictator P487 or Dic1. Long live the Dic. Who first decided one thing and then changed his mind clear thinking HeadDic.1 that he is, finally decided on July 1st insult to the people of the VI.
    What next higher taxes on your people?
    So here is what the experts that he paid money and then ignored to said.
    "In conclusion, implementing the proposed increase in the minimum wage of $9.00 an hour is a pivotal
    step towards fostering a more equitable economic environment in the Virgin Islands. It balances the
    immediate needs of the workforce with the long-term sustainability of the territory’s economic
    framework. Moving forward, it will be crucial to closely monitor the economic impacts of this policy shift
    and maintain an open dialogue with all economic stakeholders to ensure that the minimum wage remains
    responsive to both economic conditions and the population's needs. This ongoing evaluation and
    adjustment will be key to ensuring that the Virgin Islands continues to grow as a competitive and fair place
    to live and work."
  • question (21/05/2025, 16:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you working for a company how many years you have to work to get a raise of pay??
  • Just wondering (21/05/2025, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How inflation is...

    in 2016 we had a 50% increase to the minimum wage

    now it is a 20.8%...

    I am afraid of the prices in the supermarkets to accommodate this...
  • Wellsah (21/05/2025, 16:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    $7.25, no retro pay. well sah...
  • Marty Probasco (21/05/2025, 16:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Brace for price gouging era in Tortola. Forward march Sowande style.
  • WOW (21/05/2025, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people wicked Mehson
  • Struppz (21/05/2025, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ppl could survive off of $7.25 in this day and age?!!!
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (21/05/2025, 17:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No, Not Fair !!!!!!

    Prices have spiked many times since October 2016.
    Take your knees off the minimum wages earners neck, now.
    How will poor people survive in the B.V.I, how,? How will high crimes be lowered in the B.V.I, how? How will parents that earn low wages be able to feed their children adequately in the B.V.I, how?
    Where is consciense man.
    The VIP definitely does has the majority of the people of the B.V.I at heart.
    What a shameless government.
    With millions of $$$$ being pleasurously wasted on florics, and other wasteful events, why should the poor be compel to continue carrying the heavy burden load year in, year out.

    B.V.I political voters stop being VERY IGNORANT PEOPLE (VIP) house post. Take your back from those pharaohatic minded political leaders, ASAP. Don't say it. Do it.
  • Mistake.. (21/05/2025, 17:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This would have been grat if it was done in concert with the tax exemption increase., To put this out there by itself, its like leaving a wounded soldier on the battle frild with no covee..
  • OOOO WOW (21/05/2025, 17:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not even half of the US minimum wage


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