Minimum wage to increase to $6,200 March 1

The Labour and Social Security Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson has announced an increase in the national minimum wage and the minimum wage for industrial security guards.

As of March 1, the new minimum wage for a 40-hour work week will be $6,200 up from $5,600 while the minimum wage for industrial security guards will be $8,854 up from $8,198.

Last year, a Commission was set up by the government to look into the issue.

After several proposals and islandwide consultations, the commission submitted its report to the Labour Ministry last September.

At that time, commission chairman, Silvera Castro, said he did not expect the proposed increases would raise concern among employers.

In January 2014, the National Minimum Wage was increased from $5,000 to $5,600 for a 40-hour work week.

The Minimum Wage for Industrial Security Guards was also increased from $7,320.40 to $8,198.80 per 40-hour work week.