Jamaica’s minimum wage moves to $13,000 weekly

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the national minimum wage will be increased from $9,000 to $13,000 per 40-hour work week effective June 1.

This is a 44 per cent increase and is said to be the largest in 20 years.

Holness made the announcement during the Budget Debate at Gordon House on Thursday.

Holness stated that the government was strategic in not imposing new taxes in the trillion-dollar budget to avoid eroding Jamaicans’ income.

“We recognized that the contribution of minimum wage earners such as household workers, artisans, laborers, store clerks, and security personnel is vital to the success of our manufacturers, hotel professionals, lawyers, doctors, and teachers in meeting our national productivity and service targets,” he said.

He shared that the minimum wage for industrial security guards will be increased from $10,500 per week to $14,000, which will also take effect on  June 1.

He explained that the differential between the national minimum wage and the minimum wage payable to security guards has narrowed as security guards are now classified as workers.

Holness said that the differential will be removed the next time an increase in the national minimum wage is announced.

The Prime Minister further said that since taking office in 2016, the Jamaica Labour Party government has raised the minimum wage from $6,200 to $13,000, a 110 per cent increase in seven years.

He pointed out that the cumulative inflation over the period was less than 50 per cent “and even in US dollars it represents a 66 per cent increase in the minimum wage”.

Holness stated that his government has done more than any previous administration to bring prosperity to Jamaicans.