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Labour Minister now empowered to officially appoint labour inspectors

- as Labour Code Validation Bill 2025 passed in Parliament w/o amendments
Section 12 of the Labour Code mandates the formal designation and certification of labour inspectors by the Minister through an order published in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), stated that the labour code grants labour inspectors significant authority. Photo: YouTube
Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), stated that the labour code grants labour inspectors significant authority. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Labour Code Validation of Labour Inspections Bill 2025 was one of three bills passed during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), held on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

During the debate for the Labour Code Validation Bill 2025, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), stated that the labour code grants labour inspectors significant authority, which includes entering workplaces, conducting examinations, questioning relevant documents, issuing warnings for violations, and collaborating with law enforcement when necessary. 

Section 12 of the Labour Code mandates the formal designation and certification of labour inspectors by the Minister through an order published in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette. 

Lack of regulations prevented Minister from appointing inspectors 

He further explained that the code requires inspectors to be issued a certificate of appointment, which serves as official proof of their authority. 

While the code allows for the appointment of labour inspectors, the lack of regulations at the time prevented the Minister from officially designating them. 

However, the Labour Code (Appointment of Labour Inspectors) Regulations 2025 now enable the Minister to officially appoint qualified and certified labour inspectors. The Labour Code Validation of Labour Inspections Bill 2025 seeks to regularise all inspections conducted since October 4, 2010. 

By passing this bill, all inspections carried out since that date will be deemed valid, as if the public officers had been officially designated as labour inspectors and furnished with certificates of appointment under Section 12 of the Labour Code 2010. 

He added, "This bill is another step in the formalisation of the work that has been conducted in the territory by the Department of Labour and the Workforce Department."

Other bills passed

Premier Wheatley moved motions for the Second and Third Readings of three bills for consideration: the Labour Code (Validation of Labour Inspections) Bill 2025, the Miscellaneous Amendments (SIGTAS) (Validation) Bill 2025, and the Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Each bill was debated, taken through the committee stage, and passed without amendments. These legislative measures underscore the Virgin Islands' dedication to strengthening labour standards, enhancing tax administration through SIGTAS, and improving international cooperation on tax matters.

The HoA will resume on Thursday, July 10,  2025, at 10:00 AM. 

11 Responses to “Labour Minister now empowered to officially appoint labour inspectors”

  • RedFlag (07/07/2025, 12:24) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Soviet Control
  • 2024 (07/07/2025, 12:59) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Our little square miles these days are very unregulated as a matter of fact law enforcement is shortcoming be it policing
    labor or immigration. our leaders like them fearful of speaking out because they might lost votes so our very small land is filled with unsolved murders, unsolved robbery, immigration violations, labour violations
  • BuzzBvi (07/07/2025, 15:31) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    They need powers to appoint people so that work permits can be processed in a day so that businesses can properly plan their there operations.
    • Slavery in the BVI.. (08/07/2025, 04:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I find labour not serious, and have a bias against work permit employees... In the BVI today we have people working 12 hrs getting 8 hrs pay with just a half an hr lunch break .these people are threatened to get sent home if they talk, I am from here they can't deport me, so I come to be the voice for the voiceless, hope they get some attention and justice from labour.. When I was told that I was like you serious on your feet all day as security for 12 hrs getting minimum wage only been paid for 8 hrs..Naah..They need to take a serious look into all these security companies,,,,,Talk secretly and confidentially to the security employees....Get their info.
    • BUSY BEE (08/07/2025, 11:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @BuzzBvi
      We can all fantasise.
  • good (07/07/2025, 21:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too much crazy behaviors going on
  • Migoman (07/07/2025, 22:00) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ok so in a nutshell, our local little ICE is forming lol
  • Glenn Lennard (08/07/2025, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    send them to scrubisland
  • BUSY BEE (08/07/2025, 11:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great! Now the bad attitude, crappy service and egregious inefficiency of the Labour Dept. can be delivered direct to the door.
  • Optimist (08/07/2025, 12:10) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Times getting more crazy...imagine minimum wages is up by a $1.00 and now rental properties seems to have gone crazy. Then when ten and fifteen people sharing one apartment , we asking why?. Labor need to do their jobs and split fairness and honesty. Paying people properly should be common decency. It's seems morals took a seat for the worst sort of behavior to rear their ugly heads. Then when crime is out of control, we asking why?.
  • hmm (08/07/2025, 19:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    More time for them to get extra friendly with the employers and continue victimizing the employees, like how one top one who said contract labour is cheaper because he uses them lol so the employers have the right to fire you and hired contract workers (who are also the employers family) unfairness will never stop and those in charge doing nothing now more power to them.


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