Effective April 1, 2022, Jamaica’s minimum wage will be increased by nearly 30 percent.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Minister of Labor Karl Samuda.
The minimum wage will move from J$7,000(J$1=US$0.008) per 40-hour workweek to $9,000.
“This is the minimum wage, and there are many people who use this as a guide, but it does not constitute the wage that you are expected to pay. If you can do more and you help, as many do, those who work for you that fall into these categories, then by all means; certainly effort should be made to do that,” Samuda told a news conference.
Samuda said the increase was approved on Monday by Cabinet.
The increase comes in the wake of inflation reaching a new high of 9.7 percent for the annual period ending January.
The minimum wage was last increased on Emancipation Day, August 1, 2018, by 12.9 percent.
Minister Samuda also announced that security guards would see increases in their minimum wage and other allowances.
The minimum wage for security guards will move from J$9,700 to J$10,500 per 40-hour workweek.
“Laundry allowance will be increased from $40 to $47.62 per hour. Firearm premium allowance will be increased from $48.00 to $51.95 per hour. The dog handlers’ premium allowance will be increased from $33 to $35.72 per hour. Life insurance coverage with double indemnity protection and dismemberment coverage will also increase from $2.75 million to $2.97 million,” Samuda announced Tuesday morning.
Chairman of the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission, Dr. Ronald Robinson, says a liveable wage is being considered for minimum wage earners.
“One of the things that we have sought to do in this particular report was to think of it not just as a wage increase or a dollar increase but to also add several other aspects to sort of give a package. “And I think that will be dealt with in the long-term basis, but it’s really to try and to move the persons earning at this level to almost a point of being able to live, and I think that’s where we’re headed,” he added.
The announcement comes only a few days after the Bank of Jamaica warned to expect price increases due to inflation.
CMC/
