$5K fine for employers hiring persons illegally
This was stated by Acting Labour Commissioner Marvin D. Hastings during the annual Third District Job Fair at Therapy Works in Hannah Bay on Sunday, September 28, 2025. "We have a major problem in ...
This was stated by Acting Labour Commissioner Marvin D. Hastings during the annual Third District Job Fair at Therapy Works in Hannah Bay on Sunday, September 28, 2025. "We have a major problem in the Virgin Islands when it comes to illegal working, a lot of illegal working. You have a lot of people who come here on vacation and end up working for a month or two.
We have people that come and they overstay their time and they [are] working," Hastings said. The Acting Labour Commissioner noted that although the Labour Protection Unit in the Virgin Islands is not large, it will conduct inspections to address this issue. "Unfortunately, we don't have a huge Labour Protection Unit, so we’re not out enough.
We're going to be out doing some inspections. So, we are giving you a warning here today: so if you know of any illegal workers, make them legal." Both employers & employees to be fined He urged employers to comply with the regulations: "Have them leave the territory, find a work permit for them, register them in the system, and get them legally employed with yourself.’’ Mr Hastings also mentioned that employers will now face a $5,000 fine for hiring vacationers illegally, not only the employees. "As of last year, the Immigration Department updated their regulations.
Before, they could only fine the employee; luckily, now they can give a five-thousand-dollar fine to both the employee and the employer..." He added, This is a positive change because before, only the employees were punished, which was not fair. "So, both employer and employee can be punished for the fine right now.
Which is good, because before, only the employees got punished, and that was not fair." This online news site is the sole property of and is operated by Advance Marketing and Professional Services dba Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in the Virgin Islands. The content, which includes all articles, photographs, advertisements, bloggs and graphic images, are copyrighted by Virgin Islands News Online and/or the original copyright holder.
It is therefore illegal to use, reproduce, rewrite, amend or plagiarise any items found on this online news site without the expressed permission of the Board of Directors or Management of VINO. Failure to comply could lead to legal actions. © 2012 / All Rights Reserved.
Primary source: VINO