British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has announced that many public servants will receive the bulk of their long-outstanding increment payments in time for Christmas, with the remaining balances expected to be paid in early 2026.
Speaking at a recent press conference, the premier said the payments are intended to bring some relief and seasonal cheer to government workers who have waited years to receive the increments owed to them.
“I’m happy to announce that many public servants will receive most of their outstanding increment payments this Christmas, with the remainder receiving theirs in early 2026,” Wheatley said.
The announcement comes after years of persistent calls from public officers and commentators for the government to address unpaid increments, some of which date back several performance cycles. Although partial payments have been made in the past, many workers have complained that prolonged delays caused financial strain and negatively affected morale within the public service.
Increment payments have remained a recurring national issue, regularly raised during budget debates, union meetings and public forums, with workers calling for a clear and reliable schedule to clear the arrears. Government officials have previously acknowledged the backlog, attributing the delays to fiscal constraints and administrative challenges.
Wheatley said the decision aligns with the spirit of the Christmas season. He also disclosed that the Minister of Communications and Works is expected to announce another government initiative in the coming days aimed at benefiting the wider Virgin Islands community during the holiday period.
