‘Gov't is not considering minimum wage increase at this time’- Premier Wheatley
To mitigate the effects of the global conflict on local consumers, the government laid out several measures on April 16, 2026.
During the Press Briefing/Lunch and Learn Session on Government Response to the Global Fuel Crisis and Associated Rising Cost of Living on Monday, April 20, 2026, the Premier stated, “While we have a high GDP per capita, and while we do relatively well, we are not as wealthy as the United States and we have to take a considered approach, as it pertains to not just minimum wage, but trying to see if we can keep prices affordable.”
'Increase minimum wage will require increase in cost of living'
He added that while Virgin Islanders may desire an increase in their pay, several factors must be taken into consideration. An increase in payroll could lead to a corresponding rise in the cost of living.
“Just like we speak about the inflationary impact of rising fuel costs. It's the same thing for rise and payroll. Payroll is one of the biggest expenses a business has, so when you raise payroll, they're not going to absorb those costs. They're going to pass it on to the consumers,” he further explained.
Might be more difficult for consumers
He said that while the government is trying to assist Virgin Islanders, it may be made more difficult by an increase in the minimum wage at this time.
Honourable Wheatley stated, therefore, that “some businesses may even lay off employees because they can't pay payroll. So we have to take a holistic approach. We have to take our approach, which is logical, and we are tackling several different things at the same time.”
G'ovt considering a rise in the minimum wage
However, the Premier indicated that the government is continually monitoring the situation and has previously considered raising the minimum wage to $8.50.
He added, “That is something that we are monitoring, and that is not something that we can do right now with the rising fuel prices, but if things get under control again, that is something that we can return to.”
A new minimum wage of $7.25 took effect in the Virgin Islands from July 1, 2025.
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25 Responses to “‘Gov't is not considering minimum wage increase at this time’- Premier Wheatley”
So before all this war , inflation and raising gas prices etc happened yall could of done it long time you dragged it out and still to this day you keep using the same argument where wicked businesses would increases prices of good and services after a pay increase.................
when you could simply write a law that instructs all businesses under proper price control guidance and enforcement........... but you refuse cuz everybody hand in the cookie jar...............
imagine big well known businesses would make record breaking profits year after year especially during tourist season when all the yachts coming in for foods but hard time reach for the small man and the multi million/billon dollar companies find it extremely difficult to keep their prices in check or sell at a small lost to help residents and the country that they have been profiting off of for donkey years....
instead they rather take advantage of government giving duty tax breaks and make even more profit as if their yearly 500% profits on basic good wasn't enough...
you would think that the politicians are fully aware of this and spitefully give breaks so big business can make even more profits helping them out cuz all of them is one!
the country is run by greed and we the people have the power dictate how we want the country to run but we are afraid of marching, we are afraid of the elite family, we are afraid of victimization but as long as we continue to tuck our tail we always get kicked around by the people we put into power... truly sad... if its like this now imagine independence under our own black kind... smh might be the next trinidad/haiti/jamaica or even worst than all of them from how our own moving
Wheatley remember you didn’t get in because the people wanted you, they vote for Andrew and vip not you!
ONEMUST GO NOW!!!
NATALIO WHEATLEY.
I remember before they raised the minimum wage from $6 an hour, I used to buy certain groceries for a certain price. When the minimum wage increase to $7.25 as it is now, I noticed the prices increased a little on many of the groceries that I normal bought.
So what an increase in minimum wage does is increase the cost of living for everybody.
Social support systems is the key to improve life for those on minimum wage. More money need to be placed in social support systems, example social development.
If a person needs assistance, they should go to social development, then social development needs to investigate the persons income, and circumstances, if the person is seen to really need assistance then assistance should be given for the basic things.
But if persons want to experience more comforts, then they should develop themselves and apply for a better paying job, work a second job, do something to earn extra.
But minimum wage increase only adds more problems.