Premier to give minimum wage update before month’s end

Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has assured that a public update on the postponed minimum wage increase will be provided before April.

The Virgin Islands government recently announced that the Premier met with senior public officials on March 11 to discuss the minimum wage report and next steps for economic development. When contacted for comment, Wheatley confirmed that an announcement is forthcoming.

“I will make an announcement on minimum wage before the end of the month,” he stated.

The increase was initially announced in July 2024 under then-Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Labour Lorna Smith. It was set to raise the hourly rate from $6 to $8.50, boosting fortnightly earnings for minimum wage workers from $480 to $680 for a standard 40-hour workweek—an additional $200 every two weeks.

However, just days before the scheduled implementation, the government postponed the change due to policy concerns.

Speaking on TOLA Radio’s Morning Braff in February, Wheatley reaffirmed that an increase is still planned but will not take effect all at once. He also revealed that some employers had preemptively issued termination letters in response to the proposed hike.