GOV’T Announces Increases in the Minimum Wage

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has announced a 10.71 per cent increase in the national minimum wage from $5,600 to $6,200 for a 40-hour workweek.

In addition, industrial security guards will receive $8,854 for a 40-hour work- week, up from $8,198, reflecting an eight per cent increase.

The new rates take effect on March 1, 2016.

Dr. Ferguson, who made the announcements in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 19), noted that the increases establish a minimum standard or threshold for the payment of wages.

“Too often, employers take these benchmark minimum wage figures as the norm, overlooking the fact that they represent the minimum wages recommended to be paid.

In this regard, the Government is appealing to those employers, who can pay wages which are higher than the wages set out in the orders to do so,” he said.

The new rates are the result of recommendations from the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission, which conducted consultations across the island.

Industrial security guards will also receive increases in laundry allowance from $37.30 per hour to $40.30 per hour; firearm premium allowance from $41.00 per hour to $44.30 per hour; and dog handler’s premium from $27.58 per hour to $29.80 per hour.

Insurance coverage for security guards, who are killed or injured in the line of duty, is to move from $2 million to $2.5 million.