reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 5 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 5. Powers and duties of Commissioner

 (a) The Commissioner shall have the authority to— (1) investigate, ascertain, and gather data regarding the wages, hours of work and labor conditions of persons employed in any occupation in the Virgin Islands; and (2) enter and inspect, during all reasonable hours, the place of business or employment of any employer of persons in any occupation in the Virgin Islands for the purpose of examining, inspecting, and making such transcription thereof of any or all books, registers, payrolls, and other records of any such employer that in any way relate to or have a bearing upon the question of wages, hours and other conditions of employment of any such persons, and may question such employees, and investigate such facts, conditions, practices or matters that he may deem necessary or appropriate for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions of this chapter and the orders and regulations issued thereunder have been and are being complied with and to otherwise aid him in furthering the policies of this chapter. (3) require from any such employer full and correct statements in writing and copies of records with respect to wages, hours, labor conditions, names, addresses and such other information pertaining to his employees and their employment as the Commissioner may deem necessary or appropriate. (b) The Commissioner or Governor may at any time cause the wage board, provided for by this chapter, to make any investigation or study, and to submit recommendations based thereon, on any subject which is within the wage board's authority and competence.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 6 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 6. Wage board—Composition; appointment; quorum; compensation

 (a) The Virgin Islands Wage Board, heretofore established within the Department of Labor, is continued within the Department. (b) The Board shall be composed of eight members as follows: (1) Seven voting members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature. At all times at least one member shall be a woman, at least two shall be citizens residing within the area comprising Saint Thomas and Saint John, and at least two shall be citizens residing in Saint Croix. Employers and employees shall be represented by two voting members each and the public shall be represented by 3 members; and (2) The Commissioner of Labor, or his designee, shall be a member ex officio, without vote, and shall be the Secretary of the Board. (c) All members shall serve terms of three years which begin on July 1st, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor. (d) The Board shall elect annually one of its members to serve as its chairman, and one as vice chairman. (e) Five members present at a scheduled meeting shall constitute a quorum and no act shall be valid unless voted for by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present. (f) Each member who is not a Government employee shall receive, for each day or part thereof spent in the work of the Board: (1) per diem in lieu of subsistence as established by existing regulations, (2) reimbursement of all travel expenses incurred in the discharge of his duties, and (3) a stipend equivalent in amount to the daily rate of per diem as established by existing regulations. (g) The Governor may seek recommendations for nominations from existing business or employee organizations and may make and establish, from time to time, rules and regulations governing the selection of wage boards and their mode of procedure not inconsistent with this chapter. (h) For the purposes of promoting effective management of the Board and the faithful execution of the laws of the Virgin Islands the Governor shall act expeditiously to submit to the Legislature the appointments of members to fill vacancies in the membership of the Board resulting from expiration of term or from any other cause. (i) A member may be removed by the Governor only for cause. (j) In addition to the performance of its functions as prescribed by statute, the Board may perform such related functions as the Governor or the Commissioner of Labor may request. (k) The Wage Board shall convene on the third Monday in January of each year and remain in session for so long as it is necessary to carry out its duties as provided under this title. The Board may remain convened or may reconvene on its own motion to perform such other functions as prescribed by the Governor or Commissioner of Labor.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 7 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 7. Wage board—Duties

 (a) The wage board shall make regular and systematic investigations and studies of wages, hours, and working conditions for occupations affected by this chapter, including the annual reconsideration of all wage orders issued pursuant to this chapter. (b) The wage board shall classify each industry or occupation into not less than three major categories or classes of employment and shall prescribe a wage rate for each category or class of employment. (c) In the case of the construction industry, the wage board shall prescribe a minimum wage rate for each of the following major categories of employment: (1) laborers; (2) helpers and semi-skilled workers; (3) truck drivers; (4) skilled craftsmen such as masons, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers; (5) steel workers; and (6) heavy equipment operators such as bulldozer and crane operators. (d) The wage board may prescribe overtime or part-time rates, special rates for special or extra work, limitations on deductions from wages for board, lodging, apparel, or other facilities or services customarily furnished by the employer to his employees. (e) The wage board may also prescribe a suitable scale of wages for learners and apprentices at rates less than the minimum wage otherwise applicable to the occupation. (f) The wage board may also prescribe maximum hours of work and other labor conditions required for the maintenance of health and safety and general well-being of employees. (g) The wage board may prescribe a maximum workweek of up to 40 hours before overtime rates must be paid to service personnel employed in the tourist service and restaurant industries. (h) The wage board shall prescribe the minimum recruitment wage pursuant to chapter 6 of this title and may prescribe a minimum workweek guarantee of not less than 20 hours nor more than 50 hours per week as provided for by section 124(d)(4) [sic] of this title. (i) In prescribing minimum wages pursuant to the powers and duties of this chapter, the wage board shall, to the best of its ability, protect the health, welfare, and economy of the people of the Virgin Islands and promote full employment.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 8 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 8. Wage board—Evidence; powers

 (a) In prescribing minimum wage rates, the wage board shall request evidence from any interested party and, without being bound by any technical rules of evidence or procedure, shall consider, among other relevant factors: (1) the amount of compensation necessary to provide adequate maintenance and to protect the health, safety, and general well-being of the workers; (2) such factors as would guide a court in a suit for the reasonable value of services rendered where services are rendered at the request of the employer without contract as to the amount of the wage to be paid; and (3) the wages, including overtime and premium rates, paid in the Virgin Islands for work of like or comparable character by employers who maintain reasonable minimum wage standards. (b) The Commissioner shall present to the wage board all evidence and information in his possession relating to wages, hours of work and conditions of work in the occupations currently under investigation, and all other information which he may deem relevant to the establishment of minimum wage rates, maximum hours of work and other labor conditions for the persons in such occupations. (c) The wage board shall have the power to administer oaths and to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all books, records and other evidence relative to any matters under investigation. Such subpoenas shall be signed and issued by the chairman of the wage board and may be served in the same manner as subpoenas issued by the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands or may be served by registered mail receipted by the person subpoenaed and such subpoenas shall have the same effect as if issued out of the Municipal Court of the Virgin Islands. The wage board shall have the power to cause depositions of witnesses, residing within or outside the Virgin Islands, to be taken in the manner prescribed for like depositions in civil actions in the Superior Court.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 9 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 9. Wage board reports

 (a) The wage board shall submit its report to the Commissioner within 60 days of the date of its request for evidence from interested persons. (b) The wage board reports shall contain findings of fact and recommendations with respect to the matters referred to it.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 10 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 10. Wage orders

 (a) Upon receiving the wage board's report, regarding recommended minimum wages and maximum hours, the Commissioner shall immediately publish such recommendations in the newspapers of general circulation and shall provide for an order incorporating the recommendations of this report and shall, subject to the approval of the Governor, publish this order in the Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations, which shall take effect upon the expiration of thirty (30) days after the date of the filing of the report with the Commissioner. (b) The Commissioner may make, and from time to time modify or add to, such regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter including but not limited to, exercising the functions of the wage board when the particular occupation, industry or question is not covered by a wage order issued pursuant to wage board recommendations which has been in effect less than 18 months. Regulations issued by the Commissioner pursuant to this section shall be effective only after consultation with the wage board, public hearing by the Commissioner and approval by the Governor. Advance notice of at least 10 days of the public hearing must be given. After the hearing, the Commissioner may issue an order, subject to the approval of the Governor, putting into effect such regulations, or modifications to or additions to, the regulations as he may deem appropriate. (c) Any wage order issued pursuant to the wage board's recommendations shall remain in effect for a minimum of 1 year.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 11 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 11. Judicial review

 (a) Any interested person in any occupation for which any wage order or any administrative regulation has been issued under the provisions of this chapter, who may be aggrieved by any such order or regulation, may obtain a review thereof in the district court by filing in such court within 30 days after the date of publication of such order or regulation a written petition praying that the order or regulation be modified or set aside. A copy of such petition shall be served upon the Commissioner. The finding of facts, if supported by evidence, shall be conclusive upon the court. The court shall determine whether the order or regulation is in accordance with law. If the court determines that such order or regulation is not in accordance with law it shall remand the case to the Commissioner with directions to modify or revoke such order or regulation and, if necessary, to resubmit the order or regulation to a wage board with directions to take further proceedings in accordance with law. If application is made to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence by any aggrieved party, such party shall show to the satisfaction of the court that such additional evidence is material, and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce such evidence before the wage board or the Commissioner. If the court finds that such evidence is material and that reasonable grounds exist for the failure of the aggrieved party to adduce such evidence in prior proceedings, the court may remand the case to the Commissioner with directions that such additional evidence be taken before such wage board or the Commissioner. The wage board or the Commissioner as the case may be, may modify its findings and conclusions, in whole or in part, by reason of such additional evidence. (b) The commencement of proceedings under subsection (a) of this section shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of a wage order or of an administrative regulation issued under the provisions of this chapter. The court shall not grant any stay of a wage order or of an administrative regulation pertaining to wage rates unless the person complaining of such order or regulation files in the court an undertaking with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the court for the payment to the employees affected by the order or regulation, in the event such order or regulation is affirmed, of the amount by which the compensation such employees are entitled to receive under the wage order or regulation exceeds the compensation they actually receive while such stay is in effect.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 12 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 12. Handicapped workers

 The Commissioner shall provide regulations, after public hearing, at which any person may be heard, for the employment of individuals whose earning capacity is impaired by physical or mental disability at such wages lower than the wage rates applicable under this chapter as he may find appropriate to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment, to avoid undue hardship, and to safeguard the applicable wage rates under this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 13 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 13. Learners and apprentices

 (a) For any occupation for which no wage order, issued pursuant to section 7 of this title, is in effect the Commissioner may provide by regulation, subject to the approval of the Governor, after a public hearing at which any person may be heard, for the employment in such occupation at such wages lower than the wages applicable under this chapter for learners and apprentices as the Commissioner may find appropriate to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment, and to safeguard the wage rates applicable under this chapter. No individual shall be employed at wages fixed pursuant to this section except under special license issued under applicable regulations of the Commissioner. (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the employment of any person as such apprentice under the sponsorship, administration, or supervision of the Department of Education of the Virgin Islands, in which case the Department of Education shall determine the proper minimum standards.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 14 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 14. Maintenance of records; inspection

 Every employer subject to any provision of this chapter or of any regulation or order issued under this chapter shall make, and keep for a period of not less than three years, in or about the premises wherein any employee is employed, a record of the name, address, and occupation of each of his employees, the rate of pay, and the amount paid each pay period to each such employee, the hours worked each day and each week by such employee, and such other information as the Commissioner shall prescribe by regulation as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations or orders hereunder. Such records shall be open for inspection or transcription by the Commissioner at any reasonable time. Every such employer shall furnish to the Commissioner on demand a certified transcript of the required information from the records kept pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The records of each employer referred to in this section shall be inspected by an authorized employee of the Department of Labor at least quarterly for the purpose of determining whether or not the provisions of the law are being complied with.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 15 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 15. Posting law and wage orders

 Every employer subject to any provision of this chapter or of any regulation or order issued under this chapter shall keep a summary of this chapter approved by the commissioner, and copies of any applicable wage orders and regulations issued under this chapter, posted in a conspicuous and accessible place in or about the premises wherein any person subject thereto is employed. Employers shall be furnished by the Commissioner, on request without charge, copies of such summaries, orders, and regulations.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 16 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 16. Penalties

 (a) Any employer who wilfully hinders or delays the Commissioner or his authorized representative in the performance of his duties in the enforcement of this chapter, or wilfully refuses to admit the Commissioner or his authorized representative to any place of employment during business hours, or wilfully fails to make, keep, and preserve any records as required under the provisions of this chapter, or falsifies any such record, or wilfully refuses to make any such record accessible to the Commissioner or his authorized representative upon demand, or wilfully refuses to furnish, when required, a certified transcript of information from such records, or any other information required for the proper enforcement of this chapter to the Commissioner or his authorized representative upon demand, or wilfully fails to post a summary of this chapter or a copy of any applicable regulation or order required by section 15 of this title, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be fined not more than $2500. (b) Any employer who discharges or in any other manner discriminates against any employee because such employee has made any complaint on his employer to the Commissioner, or to his authorized representative, that he has not been paid wages in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or because such employee has caused to be instituted or is about to cause to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this chapter, or because such employee has testified or is about to testify in any such proceedings, or because such employee has served or is about to serve on a wage board, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be fined not more than $2500. (c) Any employer who wilfully pays or agrees to pay wages at a rate less than the rate applicable under this chapter shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2500 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both, and each week, or any portion thereof, during which such employer wilfully pays to any employee less than the rate applicable under this chapter shall constitute a separate offense as to each such employee. (d) Any employer who otherwise wilfully violates any provision of this chapter or of any regulation or order issued under this chapter shall be deemed in violation of this chapter and shall be fined not more than $2500.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 17 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 17. Remedies

 (a) Any employer who pays any employee less than the applicable wage rate to which such employee is entitled, under or by virtue of this chapter, shall be liable to such employee affected for the full amount of such wage rate, less any amount actually paid to such employee by the employer, and for costs and such reasonable attorney's fees as may be allowed by the court. Any agreement between such employees and the employer to work for less than such wage rate shall be no defense to such action. (b) At the written request of any employee paid less than the wage to which he is entitled under or by virtue of this chapter, the Commissioner may take an assignment of such wage claim in trust for the assigning employee and may bring any legal action necessary to collect such claim, and the employer shall be required to pay the costs and such reasonable attorney's fees as may be allowed by the court. (c) In addition to any other remedies prescribed by law, the Attorney General may bring action in any court in the Virgin Islands to restrain violations of this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 18 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 18. Repeals; operation of prior laws; Federal laws

 (a) All laws or ordinances or parts of laws or ordinances in conflict with this chapter are repealed: Provided, however, That the Ordinance to Prescribe Minimum Wage and Maximum Hour Standards and for Other Purposes, approved October 17, 1941, as amended, for the Municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John and the Ordinance to Prescribe Minimum Wage and Maximum Hour Standards and for Other Purposes, approved January 12, 1950, as amended, for the Municipality of Saint Croix, shall subsist in all their terms as to industries, businesses and occupations until mandatory decrees fixing minimum wage rates, maximum hours of work, and labor conditions in each of the industries, businesses, or occupations are issued and put into force and effect. (b) No provision of this chapter or of any decree issued hereunder shall excuse noncompliance with any law of the United States establishing a minimum wage higher than that fixed by the board, or a maximum of working hours lower than the maximum established by the board.
V.I. Code tit. 24, § 19 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 24 - Labor|Chapter 1 - Fair Labor Standards|§ 19. Collective bargaining

 Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to interfere with, impede, or in any way diminish, the right of employees to bargain collectively with their employers through representatives of their own choosing in order to establish wages or other conditions of work in excess of the applicable minimum under the provisions of this chapter.