The Minimum wage will be increased by Next Week Monday.
|
|
Before |
After |
|
Per Week |
$2,800.00 |
$3,200.00 |
|
Per hour |
$70.00 |
$80.00 |
|
Security Guards |
||
|
Per Week |
$4,140.00 |
$4,700.00 |
|
Per hour |
$103.50 |
$117.50 |
|
Laundry allowance |
|
$22 |
|
Firearm licenses allowance |
|
$25 |
|
Dog handlers' allowance |
|
$17 |
|
Life Insurance |
$1.2 million |
$1.5 million |
Increases in the minimum wage is always a touchy topic since there are two competing factors that must always be considered.
- Can the employers afford an increase in minimum wage
- The satisfaction of the employees
Although the satisfaction of employees is always a concern
and may be a premise to swing public opinion in an election year, the ability
to pay their wage bill should be placed at a high priority. This
is the case since an increase in employers wage bills may result in some
persons loosing their jobs.
To establish consensus the government should consult with all parties and come up with a balance that is to the benefit of all the players involve.
Was the fourteen percent increase in wage bills justified?
In my opinion I don’t think so. The increase should have been kept in single
digits with an option to review later down in the year. The ripple effect of
this move by the government will be manifested in increase prices for goods and
services since all the major institutions require the need of security guards
and the use of low income workers.
The pressure will also on small business owners, but we pray
for their survival.
JAMCL will continue to follow up on this news item.