Stacy Mather
A proposal to introduce a fee for expatriate government employees working in the BVI was raised in the House of Assembly during debate on the 2026 budget estimates, with Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather arguing that the measure should be considered as a revenue-generating option for the territory.
Speaking during the budget debate in the House of Assembly, Mather told legislators that the government currently employs hundreds of workers on work permits and suggested that the territory reassess how it treats such arrangements amid rising fiscal pressures.
“There are over 500 government employees presently on work permits,” Mather stated. “I think it’s time for them… I think they should pay a fee. I think we should collect something,” he added.
Not meant to be punitive
Mather stressed that the proposal was not framed as a punitive measure, arguing that he was not suggesting the fee be charged annually. Instead, he said it should form part of a broader review of the territory’s revenue base at a time when the government is seeking to fund an increasingly large national budget.
“I’m not saying every year. I’m not saying that,” Mather told the House. “I’m saying I think they should pay something because we need revenue.”
Mather, who recently switched his allegiance from the opposition benches to the government, argued that the Virgin Islands could no longer afford to overlook potential sources of income while simultaneously absorbing criticism about fiscal management.
We can’t always give away the BVI for free
He said the government must begin to look “beyond where our laws were” and reconsider long-standing practices that may no longer be sustainable.
“We can’t always give away the Virgin Islands for free and still take the criticisms we are taking,” Mather said during his contribution. Throughout his presentation, Mather repeatedly emphasised the need for practical measures that deliver results and help stabilise government finances.
The suggestion of a fee on expatriate public officers was raised alongside calls for greater accountability, improved revenue collection, and a renewed focus on policies that directly benefit residents. Mather did not outline how such a fee would be structured or which categories of employees might be exempt, but framed the idea as one option among several that the government should be prepared to examine.
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