Business
Minimum Wage to Increase to $8.50 Per Hour Starting November 2024
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE, confirmed that the Territory’s minimum wage minimum wage will rise to $8.50 per hour effective 30 November 2024..
Honourable Smith explained that this wage adjustment is a key component of a broader, multi-faceted economic strategy. “This decision reflects our commitment to fostering a robust economy that benefits all stakeholders,” Smith stated. “By implementing this balanced approach, we aim to enhance worker welfare while fortifying our businesses for long-term sustainability.”
The forthcoming increase is part of a comprehensive plan that includes regular wage reviews, targeted support for small businesses, and increased investments in workforce development. The Minimum Wage Review report, which underpinned this decision, will be laid before the House of Assembly shortly and will subsequently be made available to the public for further insights into the rationale and details of the wage increase.
The adjustment follows a thorough review conducted by the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, which evaluated policy documents, economic data, and labour force statistics. The committee engaged in extensive consultations, including surveys, media interviews, and focus groups, to gather diverse perspectives from stakeholders such as the BVI Chamber of Commerce, business owners, and employees.
Honourable Smith expressed her gratitude to the committee members and the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade staff for their dedicated efforts in this process. “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to this important review,” she said.
The Government encourages both businesses and workers to embrace this positive change as a step towards creating a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable economic environment for the Virgin Islands.
Business
BVI Financial Investigation Agency and Jersey Financial Services Commission Sign Agreement to Strengthen Cooperation in Tackling Financial Crimes
The Financial Investigation Agency (FIA) of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has recently strengthened ties with the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 25 October. The agreement formalises a cooperative framework for consultation and information-sharing between the two regulatory bodies, enhancing their oversight in financial regulation.
The MoU signals a shared commitment by the BVI and Jersey to uphold rigorous financial standards and combat financial crimes. By sharing essential intelligence, the FIA and JFSC aim to bolster efforts to detect, prevent, and investigate crimes such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
Errol George, Director of the FIA BVI, expressed the importance of the partnership, stating, “The signing of this MoU establishes a framework for information exchange between the FIA BVI and JFSC, supporting compliance with the laws, regulations, and rules relating to the functions of our Authorities. I am indeed pleased with the progress we are making in the Territory to tackle financial crime.”
Through this agreement, both agencies will, upon request, provide critical information that strengthens regulatory practices across the Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBP) sector. Shared data will include details on corporate structures, management standards, and organisational quality, all essential for effective supervision.
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Business
Virgin Islands Secures $100 Million Loan to Drive Infrastructure and Community Development
Business
FirstBank Customers Accounts Show Zero or Negative Balances Electronically
– Persons Accessing Cash In Bank
This morning account holders at 1FirstBank awoke to discover that their online account balances had disappeared. A widespread issue, affecting both personal and business accounts, has left customers unable to access their funds, with many reporting negative or zero balances on the bank’s digital platform.
The issue was discovered early Tuesday morning when users attempting to log in to their accounts were met with unsettling balances, with some even seeing their accounts marked as overdrawn despite no recent transactions. Several customers described seeing a balance of zero on their account’s home screen despite previously having substantial savings.
“I thought it was just me, but when I called a friend who banks with FirstBank, they had the same problem,” said the account holder. “It’s incredibly stressful, especially since there’s been no word from the bank yet.”
The problem, which seems to have affected customers across the territory, has prompted many to visit local branches in person. Several individuals reported being able to access their accounts once they arrived at the bank. However, the disruption has rendered ATM services and card transactions nonfunctional, leaving customers unable to withdraw cash or make payments.
JTV News reached out to 1FirstBank, where a representative confirmed that the electronic banking system is currently down and the matter is being addressed at the international level. Customers were advised that, for the time being, they would need to visit a branch to resolve any issues, as card swipes and ATM withdrawals were temporarily disabled.
While FirstBank has yet to release an official statement on the cause of the outage, customers are growing increasingly concerned about the safety of their funds. The nature of the problem—whether it is a technical glitch or something more serious like a security breach—remains unclear.
At this stage, it is unknown when the issue will be resolved or if all accounts will be restored to their proper balances.
The financial uncertainty has left both personal and business account holders on edge, with some businesses reporting disruptions in their daily operations due to the inability to access company funds.
JTV News will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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