Increase in Minimum Wage Takes Effect Today

The new national minimum wage of $5,000 per 40-hour work week, takes effect today, September 3, 2012.

The 11 per cent increase in the minimum wage is as a result of recommendations from the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission.

Minister of Labour of Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, had announced during his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House in July that the minimum wage will move from 4,500 to $5,000 per 40-hour work week.

Also, effective today (September 3), the minimum wage for industrial security guards, has been increased by 10 per cent from $6,655, to $7, 320.50 per 40- hour work week.

Industrial Security guards will also receive an increase in laundry allowance from $30. 25 to$ 33.30 per hour; firearm allowance $36.60 per hour, up from $33.28; and dog holder’s allowance from $22.39 to $24.63 per hour. Life insurance remains at $2 million double indemnity.

The national minimum wage was last increased February 2011, moving from $4,070 to $4, 500 per 40-hour work week, while that of security guards moved from $6,050 to $6, 655.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, in her contribution to the 2012/13 Budget Debate in Gordon House on June 5, informed that the Labour and Social Security Minister, had been asked to direct the Minimum Wage Commission to conduct a review of the existing rates, with a view to “making an adjustment during the course of this year."