Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley has said that the lay-off period for employees has been extended a further three months until January 31 next year.

Minister Wheatley in a statement titled Extension of the Lay-Off Period said that he has recommended and received the approval of Cabinet to extend the previously established lay-off period from October 31 to January 31, 2021 as a result of the current pandemic and the harsh realities being faced by both employees and employers.

Honourable Wheatley said, “Though I realise this was indeed a hard decision to make, I am mindful of the woes of workers who desire to remain under the same employ and BVI businesses who may not prefer or cannot afford to sever and rehire workers.”

Minister Wheatley reminded employers to be considerate to their employees by notifying them of any changes to their employment agreement, and gaining their agreement to the changes, prior to contacting the Department of Labour & Workforce Development.

He encouraged cooperation from employers and employees, adding, “As we continue to work diligently to safeguard work in this Territory, we continue to seek the commitment of our employees and employers to be good stewards as we fight with the reality of unemployment during these uncertain times.”

The Government of the Virgin Islands continues to keep the Territory informed of its efforts to combat COVID-19, and will continue to make adjustments, so that the people of the Virgin Islands remain safe while it balances the rebooting and the revitalisation of the economy.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Photo 1: Official photo of Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley.

 (Photo credit: GIS)