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by pltm
(PLTM) - GIS - The Department of Human Resources has successfully converted all 2499 public officers to the new salary structure in line with their March 31 deadline.
The conversion follows the Compensation Review and Job Classification report completed by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in October 2023 and submitted to Cabinet on November 8, 2023.
Deputy Governor Mr. David D. Archer Jr. said, “Public Officers are the driving force of our Territory. Therefore, we have a responsibility to ensure that they are equitably compensated according to industry and international standards.The success of this exercise speaks to our continued commitment to building a world-class Public Service that is filled with individuals that are truly proud to be public officers.”
The Deputy Governor added, “Today, no public officer is earning a salary below the living wage and this is due to the hard work executed by public officers alongside the consultants.”
During his 2024 Budget Address, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley announced Cabinet’s decision to include nearly $10 Million in this year’s budget to effect the new Public Service salary structure.
The Office of the Deputy Governor began consultations following this announcement on the findings of the Compensation Review report in an effort to gather feedback on the proposed new salary structure. These meetings included Public Service Associations and Unions, Senior Managers and the wider Public Service.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome commented on the work of the Department of Human Resources to achieve all conversions on schedule.
Mrs. DaBreo-Lettsome said, “The Department of Human Resources and Human Resources teams across the Public Service worked feverishly to ensure that all factors of this exercise were in place to allow public officers to receive their salary conversions in a timely manner. The completion of this step is the result of a major team effort, both within the Government and externally with PricewaterhouseCoopers and marks the beginning of a new age in the Public Service.”
The Office of the Deputy Governor will also implement a new allowances and benefits schedule for the Public Service beginning April 15. The schedule seeks to streamline the allocation of additional compensation for eligible public officers.
The Government of the Virgin Islands awarded PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwC) a contract in October 2022 to carry out a Compensation Review and Job Classification for the Public Service. The contract was valued at Three Hundred and Two Thousand, One Hundred and Three Dollars ($302,103.00).
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to ensuring that all public officers are adequately and equitably compensated.
