Minimum Wage increased

[Lazie]

The National Minimum Wage has been increased.

Effective Monday, January 28 the minimum wage will move up from $3,200 for a 40 hour work week to $3,700.

This represents an increase of approximately 16 per cent.

The minimum wage for industrial security guards will also see an increase of 17 per cent to move from $4,700 to $5,500.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles, who made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday afternoon, said the government is committed to using the minimum wage as one approach to protect vulnerable workers.

He pointed out that persons without union representation who are employed in small and medium businesses will also benefit.

However, Mr. Charles noted that the increase represents minimum standards and urged those paying above the minimum wage to continue to do so.

He said there has also been a significant increase in penalties for persons who fail to comply with the orders pertaining to both the national minimum wage and the payment for security guards.

Last September the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission undertook a review of the minimum wage

The National Minimum Wage was last increased in January, 2007 by 14 per cent.

[Lazie]

Government chided for short minimum wage notice

The Jamaica Employers Federation, (JEF), has chided the Government for not giving employers sufficient notice before implementing the new Minimum Wage.

Executive Director of JEF, Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, said a minimum one month's notice was required.

But her suggestion has been dismissed by Labour Minister, Pearnel Charles.

He said it is well known that the annual adjustment takes effect around this time annually and the previous government gave a commitment for the minimum wage to be adjusted by January 1.

But Mr. Charles said there was a delay in the announcement because there was a change of government and a change to the Minimum Wage Advisory Board.

Effective Monday, January 28, minimum wage will move up from $3,200 for a 40 hour work week to $3,700.

This represents an increase of approximately 16 per cent.

The minimum wage for industrial security guards will see an increase of 17 per cent, moving from $4,700 to $5,500.

[Lazie]

Unions say minimum wage increase too small

There has been a lukewarm response from some trade union leaders to the new National Minimum Wage which was announced on Tuesday.

Effective Monday January 28, the weekly rate will increase by $500 to $3,700.

The minimum wage for industrial security guards will move from $4,700 to $5,500 weekly.

But trade union officials claim the adjustments will have little impact on low income earners with the country experiencing double digit inflation.

President of the National Workers Union, Vincent Morrison, said his union had recommended a base rate of $4,000, which would cover the inflation rate and would help to protect the purchasing power of wages.

He said what needs to happen now, is for employers to take a decision to assist their workers by making higher adjustments.

And President-General of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Kavon Gayle, while agreeing with Mr. Morrison that the adjustment could have been higher, called it a step in the right direction.

However, Mr. Gayle said what needs to be considered is a living wage rather than a minimum wage, which has to bee examined in the future.

He said for the security guards, more could be done given the extenuating circumstances that they have to operate under.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles said he understands the concerns being expressed about the latest Minimum Wage adjustment.

However, he said the wage figure is a mere benchmark and should not be used by employers as a set rate to pay workers.