Mr. Speaker, on 10th July, 2020, I announced that all renewal work permit applications submitted to the Department of Labour and Workforce Development are to be accompanied by Certificates of Good Standing from the Social Security Board, National Health Insurance and the Inland Revenue Department on behalf of the businesses, as well as Certificates of Earnings on behalf of the employees from the aforementioned agencies, since no applications would be accepted without these documents.

The public is notified that the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent Wheatley will be holding office hours.......

Businesses on the Sister Islands can expect to receive more visits from officials of the Department of Labour and Workforce Development’s Labour Protection and Labour Relations Units.

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.