This document is a bill proposed by Senator Celestino A. White, Sr. to amend existing labor law. The bill proposes adding two new paragraphs to prohibit employers from harassing, intimidating, or terminating employees who file bona fide complaints with the Department of Labor. It also establishes a $1,000 maximum fine for violations and a mandatory six-month cease and desist order against retaliation. If passed, the bill would strengthen legal protections for employees who report labor issues to the government.

1. COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND AGRICULTURE
BILL NO. 28-0045
Twenty-Eighth Legislature of the Virgin Islands
May 12, 2009
An Act amending title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 451 (a) to prohibit the
harassment and termination from employment of employees who file complaints with the
Department of Labor
PROPOSED BY: Senator Celestino A. White, Sr.
1 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands:
2 SECTION 1. Title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 451 (a) is amended by
3 adding paragraphs 4 and 5 to read:
4 “(4) For an employer, to intimidate, harass, threaten, demote, furlough, reduce work
5 hours or terminate without cause an employee who has filed a bona fide labor complaint with the
6 Department of Labor.
7 (5) An employer who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than
8 $1,000.00, and a cease and desist order shall be entered into the record prohibiting the employer
9 from intimidating, harassing, threatening, demoting, furloughing, reducing work hours or
10 terminating without cause the employee, and the order shall remain in effect for six month.”
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2. 2
1 BILL SUMMARY
2 SECTION 1 of this bill amends title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 451 (a)
3 making it illegal to intimidate or terminate an employee who has filed a legitimate labor
4 complaint with the Department of Labor.
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6 BR09-0333T/April 8, 2009/AA
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