Effective January 1 2017, private sector employees will benefit from a 26 per cent increase in their salaries as their minimum wage has officially been increased from an hourly rate of $202 to $255 respectively.
This move comes after it was disclosed that government would be heading in that direction. Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence today confirmed that she took the necessary steps to give efficacy to the recommendations from the National Tripartite Committee for the minimum rate to be increased.
With the increase, the minimum daily rate is now $2,040, weekly rate is $10,200 and the minimum monthly rate is $44,200. Prior to the increase the monthly private sector minimum wage was $35,000.
As it pertains to working hours the Social Protection Ministry has advised that the normal hours of work remain at eight (8) hours per day, five (5) days per week and forty (40) hours per week.
Additionally, the Ministry used the opportunity to remind employers that with the Christmas season already here, it is expected that employees will be required to work extra hours and it is also expected that they must be compensated for those extra hours of work as the prevailing rate applies.
