Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during his National Budget Address for the Virgin Islands during the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) held at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, on Thursday, November 12, 2020, said with the increased workload projected when the territory reopens for the 2021 tourism season it is important that the BVIPA has its full complement of staff.

Premier Fahie added that employees at BVIPA are one of the territory’s most valuable resources and that his government plans to honour its commitment to them.

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said with the increased workload projected when the territory reopens for the 2021 tourism season it is important that the BVIPA has its full complement of staff.

Salaries to be restored to original level

“Mr Speaker, I am extremely happy to report that we were able to pay out 2018 increments earlier this year. Moving forward we are happy to announce that in December 2020, daily paid workers will have their salaries restored to its original level,” said Premier Fahie

Further Premier Fahie said, “We will also reinstate those employees to regular working hours as the authority anticipates a significant increase in workload with the expected return of international ferry services and cruise ships in 20201.”

Premier Fahie said that he firmly believes that with the proper support, 2021 will lead to a significant improvement to service offering at the BVI Ports Authority.

Alluding to economic impacts of COVID-19, the staff of BVIPA on May 4, 2020, was served notice that hourly-paid employees were to face a reduction of their working hours from 40 hours per week to 30 hours per week.