Senator Kurt Vialet is calling on the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Human Services, and any other government department or agency that has not yet completed the steps required to implement pay increases under Act No. 8995 to do so immediately.

The law, which took effect in October 2025, increased the minimum salary for full-time Government of the Virgin Islands employees from $27,040 to $35,000 annually. However, employees within the Department of Agriculture and some employees at the Department of Human Services have reportedly not yet received the pay adjustment.

“These employees have waited long enough,” Senator Vialet said. “This increase is not optional. It is law, and it has been in effect since October 2025. Every department has a responsibility to ensure that eligible employees receive the compensation they are entitled to.”

Mr. Vialet said the increase was approved to provide meaningful relief to government employees who continue serving the people of the Virgin Islands while facing rising costs and increasing demands.

He is urging all departments and agencies that have not yet submitted, processed, or completed the required personnel actions to move with urgency and transparency.

“This is about fairness, accountability, and respect for the workers of this territory,” he said. “If there are delays, employees deserve clear answers. If paperwork has not been submitted, it needs to be submitted now. If processing is pending, it needs to be prioritized.”

Mr. Vialet, the Senate majority leader and chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce Development, said he remains committed to monitoring the implementation of Act No. 8995 and ensuring that all eligible government employees receive the pay increase they are due.

The senator is also a member of the Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services; the Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning; the Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunication; and the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance.