'Gov’t not fooling anyone with $2 minimum wage increase'- Hon Julian Fraser RA
![Speaking on the Morning Ride Show on Zrod 103.7 FM with host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart today, Tuesday November 3, 2015, Hon Fraser noted that the last minimum wage [increase] was done by him in 1999, to four dollars, when he was the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour. Photo: Provided](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_8_800x_m_Morning_Ride_03.jpg)
The recommendation by the Advisory Committee to increase the territory’s minimum wage by 50 percent was revealed by Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering during the period of Statement by Ministers in the House of Assembly, during the Fourth Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on November 2, 2015.
According to the Minister, the committee also recommended that the minimum wage be reviewed at least every five years, that the revised minimum wage is introduced within a reasonable time and that the Labour Department be provided with adequate resources to ensure that there is compliance.
‘Sounds like peanuts, nothing’
Speaking on the Morning Ride Show on Zrod 103.7 FM with host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart today, Tuesday November 3, 2015, Hon Fraser noted that the last minimum wage [increase] was done by him in 1999, to four dollars, when he was the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour.
“It speaks a lot about our advancement,” Hon Fraser remarked.
He added, “Two dollars on the surface sounds like peanuts. It sounds like nothing. But my concern and where the minimum wage is concerned, by raising it, is more than just raising individual salaries to make them feel good.”
Hon Fraser said the increase will have a ripple effect as rents and prices for goods and services may go up unhindered as businesses and landlords seek to benefit from the increase as well.
Consumer Protection Agency needed
“What we need in conjunction with the minimum wage adjustment is a Consumer Protection Agency that deals with the price of goods.”
He warned that there is no protection for persons expected to benefit from minimum wage increases as landlords and business places could simply raise their rents and prices for goods and services, which tenants and consumers can do little about.
Citing an example to make his point, Hon Fraser noted that telecommunications company, LIME, has already notified their customers that they are increasing their internet service rates, while Mr Peart added that certain banks are also increasing their fees.
“The Government isn’t fooling anyone when they go and raise the minimum wage from $4.00 to $6.00. You show me how I can benefit from a 2 dollar increase. And let’s don’t forget there is a thing called the monster out there who we call NHI,” Hon Fraser stated.
8 months of research & consultations
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Hon Pickering said the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee submitted its report on July 31, 2015 after roughly eight months of research and consultations.
He said the committee took into consideration a number of factors such as the ability of employers to pay the increased minimum wage, the impact that the increase may have on the economy as a whole, the ability of families to provide basic necessities for themselves, the economic conditions of the country including job growth and the unemployment rate, the cost of living, the characteristics of minimum wage earners, the overall impact of a minimum wage increase on businesses, trends and developments regarding minimum wage in other jurisdictions among others.
Hon Pickering added that while the Committee was asked to consider various levels of minimum wage for different categories of workers, the Committee in the end recommended a single minimum wage but with the understanding that market forces will come into play to determine what each category will earn.
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28 Responses to “'Gov’t not fooling anyone with $2 minimum wage increase'- Hon Julian Fraser RA”
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We have developed A culture where " women need to have more tha one man to survive " because house rent is HIGH women have d rite to want /desire nice tings too BUT stop i undastan men prostituting them selves for betta living conditions too
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