“I know what it is to struggle,” he declared.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. Natalio Wheatley has defended the Virgin Islands’ Consumer Protection Bill, declaring that his administration understands the daily struggles facing residents and is committed to ensuring relief measures reach ordinary people.
Piloting the legislation through the House of Assembly, the Premier pushed back strongly against claims from the Opposition that temporary duty reductions and subsidies to businesses would expire before meaningful regulations are introduced to protect consumers.
“We live here among the people. We feel what the people feel,” the Premier said in the House of Assembly on May 12.
He added, “I did not come from privilege. I know what it means to live paycheck to paycheck.”
Dr. Wheatley said he regularly shops in supermarkets himself and understands the anxiety many families experience as prices continue to climb.
“I know what it is to struggle,” he declared.
“We are here to help people, but we are not going to fool people or promise things we cannot deliver. We are going to take a measured and responsible approach to bringing relief.”
Dr. Wheatley insisted that government is already examining ways to make many of the reductions permanent while simultaneously moving to establish regulations that guarantee businesses pass savings directly on to shoppers.
“While the current duty reductions are for three months, I’m going to sit down with the team to see how we can make a lot of these reductions permanent and ensure we can afford them,” the Premier stated during the debate.
He added that government intends to move swiftly once the bill comes into force.
“We will endeavour to bring those regulations quickly because we cannot allow bureaucracy to stand in the way of helping our people,” Dr. Wheatley said.
He added, “I do not believe it is true that nothing will happen with these subsidies. I believe the savings will be passed on.”
The Premier used the debate to paint a picture of a government attempting to balance economic responsibility with the growing cost-of-living pressures confronting residents across the territory.
“We know people are struggling. We cannot deny that,” Dr. Wheatley told the House.
Among the measures highlighted was what he described as a historic $30 million salary increase for public servants, particularly aimed at lifting lower-income workers above the living wage threshold.
The Premier also described the Consumer Protection Bill as groundbreaking legislation that establishes, for the first time in Virgin Islands history, a formal legal framework safeguarding consumers against unfair business practices.
He explained that the law creates enforceable protections for residents who purchase defective products, receive expired goods, or pay for services that are never delivered.
Importantly, the legislation also establishes a tribunal system intended to help residents resolve disputes without the financial burden of hiring attorneys or pursuing lengthy court battles.
“If you buy something defective, the law now clearly outlines your rights,” Dr. Wheatley explained.
“If somebody sells expired goods or takes your money and does not provide the service, there is now a mechanism in place to help consumers get justice.”
He described the tribunal as a major step forward in giving ordinary people accessible avenues for redress.
Piloting the legislation through the House of Assembly, the Premier pushed back strongly against claims from the Opposition that temporary duty reductions and subsidies to businesses would expire before meaningful regulations are introduced to protect consumers.
“We live here among the people. We feel what the people feel,” the Premier said in the House of Assembly on May 12.
He added, “I did not come from privilege. I know what it means to live paycheck to paycheck.”
Dr. Wheatley said he regularly shops in supermarkets himself and understands the anxiety many families experience as prices continue to climb.
“I know what it is to struggle,” he declared.
“We are here to help people, but we are not going to fool people or promise things we cannot deliver. We are going to take a measured and responsible approach to bringing relief.”
Dr. Wheatley insisted that government is already examining ways to make many of the reductions permanent while simultaneously moving to establish regulations that guarantee businesses pass savings directly on to shoppers.
“While the current duty reductions are for three months, I’m going to sit down with the team to see how we can make a lot of these reductions permanent and ensure we can afford them,” the Premier stated during the debate.
He added that government intends to move swiftly once the bill comes into force.
“We will endeavour to bring those regulations quickly because we cannot allow bureaucracy to stand in the way of helping our people,” Dr. Wheatley said.
He added, “I do not believe it is true that nothing will happen with these subsidies. I believe the savings will be passed on.”
The Premier used the debate to paint a picture of a government attempting to balance economic responsibility with the growing cost-of-living pressures confronting residents across the territory.
“We know people are struggling. We cannot deny that,” Dr. Wheatley told the House.
Among the measures highlighted was what he described as a historic $30 million salary increase for public servants, particularly aimed at lifting lower-income workers above the living wage threshold.
The Premier also described the Consumer Protection Bill as groundbreaking legislation that establishes, for the first time in Virgin Islands history, a formal legal framework safeguarding consumers against unfair business practices.
He explained that the law creates enforceable protections for residents who purchase defective products, receive expired goods, or pay for services that are never delivered.
Importantly, the legislation also establishes a tribunal system intended to help residents resolve disputes without the financial burden of hiring attorneys or pursuing lengthy court battles.
“If you buy something defective, the law now clearly outlines your rights,” Dr. Wheatley explained.
“If somebody sells expired goods or takes your money and does not provide the service, there is now a mechanism in place to help consumers get justice.”
He described the tribunal as a major step forward in giving ordinary people accessible avenues for redress.
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