(a) The Commissioner of Finance shall pay all salaries of all officials and employees of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands on the basis of 2,080 hours per year, divided into pay periods of 86.67 hours each, or 24 pay periods each year payable on the fifteenth day and the last business day of each month.
(b) Under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Governor, the Commissioner of Finance shall be allowed a sufficient time between the end of each pay period and the delivery of the employees' salaries in which properly to—
(1) pre-audit the time and attendance of each employee;
(2) prepare the payrolls; and
(3) prepare the checks of the employees.
The time lag authorized by this section shall not exceed twelve days.(c) No officer or employee shall certify, approve, or make any payment for personal services to any person holding a position in the executive branch of Government, unless said person has been employed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and with the rules, regulations, and orders hereunder.
(d) The Director of Personnel may require from any department or agency that the payrolls, vouchers, and accounts for personal services of persons covered hereunder be submitted to him for review and certification. When so required by the Director of Personnel, the officers and employees of any such department or agency may not approve or make any payment for such personal services, unless the payroll, voucher, or account of such pay bears the certification of the Director of Personnel or his authorized agent to the effect that the persons named in the said payroll voucher or account have been appointed and employed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and with the rules, regulations, and orders hereunder. The Director of Personnel shall refuse to certify the pay of any officer or employee who has been appointed in violation of such provisions. Should the Director of Personnel refuse to certify any payroll, voucher, or account, any employee affected thereby may appeal to the Government Employees Service Commission.