Minimum Wage increase to take effect October 1, 2016- Hon Pickering
Approached for an update on the minimum wage on June 29, 2016 at the Francis Lettsome Primary School (FLPS) Exiting Ceremony at the East End/Long Look Community Centre, Hon Pickering had told Virgin Islands News Online “don’t worry about it, you will have an update soon.”
This morning, July 4, 2016, Hon Pickering released a statement to the media via Government Information Service (GIS), in which he said that in October of 2015, Cabinet reviewed and accepted the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee Report on the proposed new minimum wage and that the report was subsequently tabled at the House of Assembly on November 2, 2015.
He added that “the Attorney General was thereafter requested to draft the legal documentation to formally bring this minimum wage into force, which will take effect on 1st October, 2016.”
“The new Minimum Wage payable for employment shall be $6.00 per hour,” Hon Pickering confirmed.
The Labour Minister added that after careful consideration, Cabinet decided to delay the coming into force of the new minimum wage to allow the business community time to implement the National Health Insurance.
He said too that Cabinet was also mindful that the implementation of both the Minimum Wage and the National Health Insurance at the same time may have created some unnecessary hardship on businesses.
“This period of time between now and 1st October, 2016 gives businesses time to make the necessary adjustment and transition to the new minimum wage; it also gives us time for public awareness and education.”
Hon Pickering also singled out the business community for cooperating with the Committee and for remunerating employees at a rate that they thought was fair in absence of a legally established minimum.
“It was Pope John Paul 2 who said, that “a society will be judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members.” I therefore submit to you that the buoyancy of the Territory’s economy will be a function of our collective efforts in ensuring that each and every member is remunerated at a level that is commensurate with the prevailing economic conditions,” Hon Pickering concluded.
$2.00 minimum wage increase ‘peanuts’- Hon Fraser
While the recommendation for an increase in minimum wage was welcomed by some, others felt a better rate could have been recommended.
Describing the recommendation of the Advisory Committee to raise the minimum wage from $4.00 to $6.00 as “peanuts” and that it “sounds like nothing”, Opposition Leader and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA said the increase would mean nothing unless there is some consumer protection in place.
Speaking on the Morning Ride Show on Zrod 103.7 FM with host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart on 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.
“What we need in conjunction with the minimum wage adjustment is a Consumer Protection Agency that deals with the price of goods.”
Meanwhile, in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) the minimum wage rose from $7.25 to $8.35 from June 21, 2016, due to a bill authored by Senator Jean Forde and signed into law by Governor Kenneth E. Mapp in March.
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28 Responses to “Minimum Wage increase to take effect October 1, 2016- Hon Pickering”
I own a small business for the past 24 years and have the same 5 employees. I also have a housekeeper and they all earn more than $6 per hour. It is unconscionable to pay people $4 or even $6 an hour considering the cost of living. People like you @biz feels entitled, and don't believe in hard work, creativity and innovation to grow your business and make it work. I bet you are one of those born here business owners, who restrict foreign businesses from coming here to invest because you think that they are a threat. Get up off your a** and work to grow your business instead of complaining about paying your employees a decent wage.
Your gesture is both caring and admirable.
unless you not buying cold storage, and don't forget he has his rich white friends so he don't give a dam about we poor island people as they call us.
Stuff. The meat, poultry and frozen stuff is to expensive. Wanted some ribs the other day an I could not afford it. I am thinking about growing my own stuff and stop eating any type of meat. I can get protein from beans.
So long the premier stated government employees would get their increment months later and government employees still haven't gotten their increment. Perhaps this is something VINO needs to bring to light.
Shame on you!