The Department of Labour and Workforce Development is reminding employers that employees who have been assigned to work during the upcoming holidays including Good Friday and Easter Monday, are to be paid in the prescribed manner.

The Territory’s employers are notified that essential employees, who have been assigned to work during the upcoming Good Friday and Easter Monday holidays, are to be paid in accordance with Sections 53 and 54 of the Labour Code.

Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley has praised the Labour Arbitration Tribunal for its work in clearing the backlog of matters, some dating as far back as 2015.

The public is notified that the submission of applications for work permit exemption is currently on hold. 

Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley has said that the lay-off period for employees is over and that their severance compensation is due.

Mister Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity again to address this Honourable House and the people of this Territory. Today, I want to give an update on the lay-off period and severance pay matters for employers and employees of businesses in these Islands.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is reminding employers to submit detailed information on persons they employed under the 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days Programme to be eligible for the 10 percent compensation of the total salaries paid.

The public is notified that effective February 1, persons who are out of the Territory for six months or more with expired work permits will be required to submit new applications, as their expired permits will no longer be renewable.

The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has made the decision to extend the current lay-off period for employees to 28 February 2021.

Persons who have expired entry permits, work permits and work permit exemptions are to contact the respective departments to make an appointment to facilitate the regularising of their permits.