BVI gov’t abruptly postpones implementation of minimum wage hike

TORTOLA — Months after the firing of a top official, the administration of Premier Natalio Wheatley abruptly canceled the implementation of a planned minimum wage increase.

The wage hike was to take effect Nov. 30, and earlier this week the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation issued a short statement that it was informing the public that the minimum wage increase scheduled to take effect last month has been postponed, citing a matter of policy.

The statement, released on Tuesday, did not provide details as to what that policy is, but noted that a revised implementation date will be announced early next year. The minimum wage in the territory was scheduled to increase from $6 to $8.50 per hour. Plans for the increases was announced in July by then Deputy Premier and Labor Minister Lorna Smith, who Wheatley announced in October that he had fired.