Effective June 1, the minimum wage in the U.S. Virgin Islands will be increased to $9.50 per hour for all employees, except tourist service and restaurant employees, according to a press release from the V.I. Department of Labor. Persons not in compliance with the law are in violation of the following statute:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every employer shall pay to each of his employees including employees who are less than 18 years of age or full-time high school students at a rate not less than $8.35 per hour beginning 90 days immediately following the effective date of this subsection, not less than $9.50 per hour beginning June 1, 2017, not less than $10.50 an hour during the year beginning June 1, 2018, and beginning June 1, 2019, not less than the minimum wage determined in accordance with subsection (b) of this section; but tourist service and restaurant employees who are tipped employees, must be paid a minimum wage set in this subsection or in accordance with subsection (b) at a rate not less than 40% of the minimum wage. After 2020, the Virgin Islands Wage Board may, based on verifiable economic data, adjust the minimum wage for tourist service and restaurant employees who are tipped employees to a rate not greater than 45% of the minimum wage or less than the federal minimum wage for tipped employees.
To inquire further about this new minimum wage increase, and/or to obtain a copy of the new Minimum Wage poster, contact the Division of Labor Relations on St. Croix at 773-1994 or on St. Thomas at 776-3700. Visit the V.I. Department of Labor Web site at www.vidol.gov to download a copy of the Minimum Wage poster.
