Minister Urges Fair Play Amid Minimum Wage Implementation

Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for the Public Service, Labour, and Gender Relations, has supported Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre’s calls for employers to refrain from laying off workers due to the country’s first-ever minimum wage. Albert-Poyotte, however, has also called for workers to be honest and deliver a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. Last week, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre put employers on notice not to lay off workers following the implementation of the minimum wage policy on August 1, which will take effect on October 1, 2024. According to Pierre, with the implementation of the island’s minimum wage, which was arrived at by a minimum wage commission, no worker in this country will earn less than $1,130 a month, or $52.00 daily or $6.52 hourly. Pierre encouraged employers to accept the measure for greater equity in society. He warned that layoffs would sow the seeds of discord and disenchantment and probably influence criminal activity. During Monday’s pre-cabinet press briefing, Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte emphasized that the minimum wage would be separate from any incentives, bonuses, commissions, or service charges employees earn. “We know that some persons will have issues with that but this is what the legislation...