Private/Public stakeholder forum being planned on VI Minimum Wage– Premier
“Madam Speaker, one thing that the Compensation Review and Job Classification report highlights is that even when the current minimum wage of $6 per hour is adhered to, the gross salary of many workers in the private sector also falls short of a living wage,” he said.
The Premier was at the time delivering his 2024 Budget address on Tuesday, November 23, 2023, under the topic of wages, the cost of living, and government expenditure.
The Premier said the issue of wages has not escaped the Government nor the Honourable Minister of Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL), OBE, and thus a forum is being created for all stakeholders to come together and discuss what can be done about the current minimum wage.
“As the Honourable Minister has indicated, the Government alone cannot decide on what should be a minimum wage, but we are optimistic that by bringing the stakeholders such as private sector employers into a national discussion, solutions can be found,” he 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; however, a 2022 review of Social Assistance in the VI by the Social Policy Research Institute (SPRI Global) found that this was well below what is now needed.
Gov't committed to paying increments - Premier Whealtey
Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said the Government has also committed to the payment of all outstanding arrears for increments.
“When I entered office in 2019, the payment of increments was significantly behind, but we are very close to becoming current because we have committed to meeting our obligations. And, may I add that we have to ensure going forward that we raise the revenues to keep pace with our obligations.”
He said persons seeking short-term employment or interested in learning skills can enrol in the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme.
“So far, over 700 persons have been able to access opportunities through the RATED programme and individuals have even moved on to full-time employment. This programme will continue to be developed in 2024,” the Premier detailed.
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12 Responses to “Private/Public stakeholder forum being planned on VI Minimum Wage– Premier”
you all wanted information..........I gave you all a lot last night ........
lol lol
Cost of living will be greatly reduced and everyone will benefit. By simply eliminating duty for supermarkets, gas stations and small businesses.
Only thing, make the supermarkets, gas stations and small businesses agree that they will reduced the cost on goods to the same degree that they save through duty.