Employees disappointed over postponed minimum wage increase

Some Virgin Islands employees have expressed frustration over the Ministry of Financial Services’ recent postponement of the planned minimum wage increase, originally scheduled to take effect on November 30.

The wage increase would have raised the hourly rate from $6 to $8.50 but in a surprise announcement on Tuesday, government postponed the increase, citing an undisclosed policy matter as the reason. Speaking on the issue, a local small business owner in the hospitality sector revealed they had already started paying employees the increased rate shortly before the intended implementation date. Now, they are contemplating whether to maintain the adjustment or roll it back partially.

Meanwhile, customer service worker who spoke to our news centre today on the condition of anonymity, shared that the timing of the postponement, so close to Christmas, added to the disappointment. “Some people may have already budgeted for it, especially during the Christmas season,” she said.