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Several public officers remain off the job, reportedly on full salaries, despite winning their respective court cases. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley has pointed to the Governor and Public Service Commission to address their return.
The matter was raised during a recent press conference, where a journalist questioned why the officers had not returned to work despite personnel shortages across the public service and Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Among those named were Lorna Stevens, Wade Smith, Roberto “Tico” Harrigan, Carolyn O'Neal-Morton,Pascha Stoutt, Pamphill Prevost, and Simon Power. The journalist said some of the cases have remained unresolved for several years, with the officers continuing to receive full salaries.
Premier Wheatley declined to discuss the individual cases.
“I’m not going to get into individual HR cases, but what I will say is that the Governor ultimately has responsibility as the one who’s in charge of the public service,” he stated.
He said the Public Service Commission also has a role in determining how the cases should be handled.
“They will deliberate on those matters and take decisions as appropriate,” the Premier said.
When asked directly whether he wanted the officers returned to work, Premier Wheatley stopped short of giving a clear yes or no answer.
“I want to see the people’s work get done, and I want persons who are Virgin Islanders, who have the capability to do the work, to have the opportunity to do it,” he responded.
The matter was raised during a recent press conference, where a journalist questioned why the officers had not returned to work despite personnel shortages across the public service and Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Among those named were Lorna Stevens, Wade Smith, Roberto “Tico” Harrigan, Carolyn O'Neal-Morton,Pascha Stoutt, Pamphill Prevost, and Simon Power. The journalist said some of the cases have remained unresolved for several years, with the officers continuing to receive full salaries.
Premier Wheatley declined to discuss the individual cases.
“I’m not going to get into individual HR cases, but what I will say is that the Governor ultimately has responsibility as the one who’s in charge of the public service,” he stated.
He said the Public Service Commission also has a role in determining how the cases should be handled.
“They will deliberate on those matters and take decisions as appropriate,” the Premier said.
When asked directly whether he wanted the officers returned to work, Premier Wheatley stopped short of giving a clear yes or no answer.
“I want to see the people’s work get done, and I want persons who are Virgin Islanders, who have the capability to do the work, to have the opportunity to do it,” he responded.
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