| Gov't orders minimum wage review |
| Observer Reporter Thursday, January 16, 2003 |
LABOUR and social security minister, Horace Dalley yesterday gave a March 31 deadline for the first of an annual review of the national minimum wage and minimum wage for industrial security guards.
The minister made the request following a meeting with the Jamaica Employers Federation and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions and has subsequently formalised his order by sending a letter to the unions.
According to Dalley, the request is a proactive approach to preventing "massive increases and to minimise the effects on employers".
The national minimum wage is currently $1,800 and industrial security guards earn $70.70 per hour after being raised to those figures almost a year ago. Prior to that increase, the minimum wage workers would earn $1,200 and industrial security guards $50.50 per hour.
Last year, in addition to the raise, industrial security guards were also given a 50 per cent increase in laundry, firearm premium and dog handler's premium allowances.