Local News
Public Servants Face Extended Wait for Increment Arrears Until 2027
Public servants eagerly anticipating their overdue increment arrears by the new year 2024 have been met with disappointing news. Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr. has revealed that the much-anticipated payments may now be deferred until 2027, as outlined in a circular disseminated to key government officials, including the Attorney General, Financial Secretary, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Constitutionally Established Offices, Heads of Departments, and all Public Officers.
Archer conveyed, “As we close 2023, I am sharing an update on the status of payments of outstanding increments to public officers and salary progressions based on the new salary structure. On Wednesday, 1st December, Cabinet decided that all outstanding increment arrears for the Public Service are to be paid by 2027, subject to the availability of funding and barring any unforeseen circumstances.”
The Cabinet’s decision also encompasses the arrears for 2023 increments, which are slated to be paid by 2027, contingent upon funding availability and unforeseen circumstances.
Archer Jr. attributed this delay to the completion of the Compensation Review and Job Classification Project by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and the allocation of nearly £10 million in funding for the new salary scale, as announced in the 2024 Budget by Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The protracted issue of increment delays has persistently plagued the VI public sector, with officers expressing discontent over deferred payments spanning various administrations.
In an official statement, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. elaborated on the Cabinet’s decision, emphasising the need for funding availability and unforeseen circumstances considerations.
The completion of the Compensation Review and Job Classification Project prompted a swift response from the Office of the Deputy Governor, which engaged in a comprehensive consultation process with all public officers. The consultation sought to ensure that every public officer across ministries and groups had the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed new salary structure.
His Excellency the Governor, John J Rankin CMG, acknowledged the challenging times faced by the Public Service, citing hurricanes and the impact of COVID-19. He underscored the importance of compensating public officers and endorsed recent decisions aimed at improving compensation. The commitment by the Premier to fund these initiatives was welcomed, with confidence expressed in the efficiency and excellence of the Public Service in implementing the decisions.
The circular detailed the consultation process on the new salary structure, including recommendations to Cabinet for an additional increment based on years of service. Despite not accepting this recommendation at present, Cabinet suggested alternative ways to reward long-serving public officers for exceptional performance, academic achievement, or promotion.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to public officers and the public service. To ensure sustainable compensation, the government will implement a pay-for-performance scheme starting 1st January 2024, replacing the current incremental system.
The Cabinet also decided to review compensation for the Public Service every two or three years, executing salary increases based on affordability. Despite the cost to the government, this commitment underscores the determination to properly compensate public officers.
Recognising the need for transformation, plans are underway to move from a non-contributory to a contributory pension scheme, ensuring that public officers can access benefits regardless of retirement timing. Further engagement with public officers is promised to gather opinions and ideas on the evolving changes.
Public officers were encouraged to contact the Office of the Deputy Governor for any questions or concerns. Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. expressed sincere gratitude for the dedicated service and sacrifices of public officers, underscoring their vital role in building the future of the Virgin Islands.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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