(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.