NEW LABOUR CODE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Friday July 23, 2010

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Labour Department are delighted to announce that the new Labour Code has officially been gazetted and is now available on the Virgin Islands Official Gazette website, www.bvigazette.org, http://www.bvigazette.org/extrafile/G00307_Labour%20Code%20Act,%202010.p... providing direct access to the public.

Regarding the newly gazetted code, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Mrs. Janice Rymer, said that she is encouraging everyone to ensure that they obtain a copy of the new Labour Code. “I want everyone to acquaint themselves especially with those areas that will affect them.”

In relations to the benefits of the bill passed in the House of Assembly in May, Labour Commissioner, Mrs. Oleanvine Maynard stated that the Labour Department now has an incredible tool in the form of the Labour Code 2010, to enforce fair and equitable employment practices.

“This is an exciting time in the history of the Labour Department and the entire staff is enthusiastic in being a part of this whole process,” she said.

The new Labour Code will be Government’s mechanism to address the Territory’s system of labour administration. Major areas addressed in the Code are retirement payments, types of work permits, gratuity, minimum standards of employment, discipline and termination, protection against victimization and protection of children and young persons.

The Code also makes provisions for the protection of pregnant employees, preference to Virgin Islanders and Belongers for employment, discrimination in employment, safety and health, responsibilities and powers of the Labour Department, advisory committee and penalties.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Department of Labour anticipate that the new Labour Code will allow for the efficient management of the labour market and at the same time address the Territory’s need for migrant workers and facilitate opportunities for British Virgin Islanders and Belongers.

The Official Gazette Online, which is available at www.bvigazette.org ( makes it possible for users to read, print or download electronic copies of the Virgin Islands Official Gazette.
The Official Gazette is published weekly by the Deputy Governor’s Office. It contains government, commercial, and legal notices, as well as Bills, Acts, and other types of official documents. The first publication of the Gazette was on March 9, 1967.