The BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) will be giving all employees one year of increments and those whose hours were docked last August will be receiving a “one-off” ex-gratia payment to compensate for their loss.
This was revealed by Premier and Minister of Finance Andrew Fahie during an issued statement on Wednesday December 29.
According to the Premier, the Board of Directors at the Ports Authority made the aforesaid approvals in recognition of the invaluable service displayed by the employees following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “In August 2020, during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) made the tough decision to reduce the hours worked by its hourly paid staff, as the operational needs of the organisation reduced. As a result, these employees’ salaries were affected because they were only paid for the hours worked and they took home less than they would have under normal circumstances.”
“I am pleased to inform the public that the Board of Directors of the BVIPA have approved one year of increments to be paid to all its employees upon successful completion of their performance appraisal by the first quarter of 2022. In addition, all Port employees whose hours were reduced in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19, will receive a “one-off” ex-gratia payment from the BVIPA,” he added.
Approvals a direct result of government-imposed policies
Premier Fahie said the recent decision by the Ports Authority Board of Directors is a direct result of the many policies set out by his government to revive the BVI’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am glad to have the workers at the BVIPA recognised for their invaluable service. This has been made possible due to your government’s many successful policies that significantly contributed to the positive surge being experienced in our economy despite the ongoing challenges created by COVID-19. We thank the staff of the BVIPA for their hard work and continued dedication to the Authority during the pandemic, which is ongoing,” he stated.
In May 2020, the Ports Authority in a memorandum dated May 13 which was addressed and issued to managers and staff stated that they were cutting the regular working hours of its staff due to financial constraints caused by the pandemic.
The regular 40-hour per week schedule was reduced to 30-hours per week.