Local News
Compensation Review: Deputy Governor Highlights Importance of Public Officer Feedback
The ongoing Compensation Review in the British Virgin Islands has received significant attention as Deputy Governor Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. stresses the importance of feedback from Public Officers regarding their compensation. The third phase of the review, led by consultancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), has recently concluded with the submission of a proposed “compensation philosophy” aimed at restructuring job positions within the Public Service.
The suggested approach, put forth by PwC, involves adopting the Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) system to organize job families, subfamilies, streams, stages, and levels. This updated classification system aims to address key concerns raised by Public Officers during the assessment phase, including expanding job scopes, disparities in roles and salaries, poor grading of technical positions, challenges in succession planning, and issues pertaining to Public Officers on the Sister Islands.
Deputy Governor Archer emphasizes the importance of recognizing the changing nature of job roles in the Public Service. He states, “Any time new things become part of your job, that is actually the best tagline as to why we are doing the Compensation Review.” The review aims to determine the value of each job and compare it to its value a decade ago.
Regarding the poor grading of technical positions, Mr. Archer acknowledges the need for proper recognition. He explains, “Over the years, there has been a professional track without the right recognition, for persons who bring the technical skills.” The Deputy Governor emphasizes the importance of rewarding technical experts for their proficiency and passion within their respective fields.
To address disparities in salaries and allowances, Deputy Governor Archer highlights the necessity of evaluating role profiles alongside the practical scope of work performed by Public Officers. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in allowances across the board.
The concerns surrounding Public Officers on the Sister Islands are also being addressed through various initiatives, including the Sister Islands Coordination Committee, the Sister Islands Programme, and digital transformation efforts.
The decline in the number of Public Officers over the past decade is another significant finding highlighted by Deputy Governor Archer. He explains, “Since the world economic crisis, we have been aggressively trying to get the right size of the Public Service, and you will see significant declines.” The aim is to create a leaner and more efficient public service through transformation and technology.
PwC’s compensation philosophy aligns with the Virgin Islands National Sustainable Development Plan and Public Service Transformation Framework. The firm drew inspiration from various international models, including those from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and Mauritius.
As the Compensation Review enters its fourth phase, a draft and final Compensation Review Report will be created. This process will involve developing a compensation strategy, designing a comprehensive compensation plan and package, and adjusting the salary administration system to align with strategic objectives.
The Compensation Review project, valued at $302,103.00, is scheduled to conclude next month. Its goals include addressing remuneration disparities, supporting skilled and competent officers to enhance public service delivery, and implementing a Total Rewards Scheme to promote high performance.
Deputy Governor Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. reiterates the Government of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to effective human resources leadership and partnership in driving Public Service Excellence.
Education
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
Dr Kedrick Pickering, former legislator and renowned obstetrician, has achieved international recognition with the release of his book, Walk in Faith & Medicine: Daily Lessons & Insights from a Doctor’s Handwritten Journal. Published on December 12, the 139-page Kindle edition has swiftly become the number one New Release in Obstetrics & Gynaecology on Amazon, earning Dr Pickering a place among Amazon’s International Best Sellers.
Walk in Faith & Medicine provides readers with a deeply personal account of Dr Pickering’s tenure as the only Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the British Virgin Islands for nearly three decades. The book intricately weaves his medical experiences with his spiritual reflections, offering profound insights into the challenges of practising medicine in a setting where resources were often limited, but faith and resilience were abundant.
Through heartfelt anecdotes, Dr Pickering recounts the joys and struggles of his career, from the miracle of delivering life under difficult circumstances to the strength he found in spirituality when faced with adversity. Each chapter sheds light on the delicate balance between clinical expertise and moral contemplation.
The book’s release has received widespread acclaim, resonating with audiences in both medical and spiritual communities. Its success highlights Dr Pickering’s unique ability to capture the human side of healthcare while addressing universal themes of faith and hope.
Walk in Faith & Medicine is available exclusively as a Kindle edition and is already being hailed as an inspirational must-read.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) brought smiles to the faces of over 100 children in the British Virgin Islands with a generous donation of Christmas gifts. The initiative, held on December 16, was a collaborative effort between the FCCA, the Government of the Virgin Islands, and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).
The festivities took place at YEP Headquarters in East End, where children were treated to a festive celebration. Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship donned Santa Claus and other character costumes, adding to the magic of the occasion. The event also received sponsorship from Diamond International.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley expressed his gratitude for the FCCA’s ongoing commitment to the Virgin Islands community. “The leadership of the FCCA is a thoughtful group of individuals. For more than two decades, their gift-giving has brought smiles and filled hearts with joy and hope during this special time of year,” said Premier Wheatley. “On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend our sincere thanks to the FCCA and their co-sponsors for their generosity.”
Minister for Ports Hon. Kye M. Rymer highlighted the FCCA’s enduring partnership with the territory. “Their commitment to gift-giving for over 20 years deserves our acknowledgment,” said Rymer. He also commended the BVI Ports Authority for its collaboration with the FCCA in supporting such initiatives.
Director of YEP Hon. Stacy Mather shared his appreciation for the FCCA’s efforts. “This marks our second time receiving gifts from this initiative. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful for this generosity,” he said. “Thanks to the kindness of FCCA, Diamond International, and others, our Christmas celebrations begin a little earlier.”
The event was moderated by Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms. Haley Trott, and attended by Junior Minister for Tourism Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith, Deputy Director of YEP Ms. Bianca Dougan, and other community leaders.
As the festive season brings increased consumer activity, the British Virgin Islands Bank Association (BVIBA) has issued a stern reminder to merchants across the territory regarding compliance with card transaction policies.
The association warns that imposing minimum spending requirements or charging additional fees for card payments is not only against their merchant agreements but also violates regulations established by major payment networks, VISA and Mastercard.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, December 18, warns that merchants engaging in these practices are in breach of their contractual obligations with their respective financial institutions. “We request that all merchants immediately cease these practices to ensure compliance,” the statement read.
The BVIBA comprises several prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, CIBC Caribbean, FirstBank PR, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Popular, Republic Bank (BVI) Limited, and VP Bank (BVI) Limited.
For inquiries or guidance on compliance, the BVIBA advises merchants to contact their respective banks promptly.
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
FCCA Spreads Holiday Cheer in the British Virgin Islands with Christmas Gift Donation
BVI Bank Association Warns Merchants Against Card Transaction Violations
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