uesday, 22 January 2008   The National Minimum Wage has been increased.

Effective Monday, January 28 the minimum wage will move up from $3,200 for a 40 hour work week to $3,700.

This represents an increase of approximately 16 per cent.

The minimum wage for industrial security guards will also see an increase of 16 per cent to move from $4,700 to $5,500.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles, who made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday afternoon, said the government is committed to using the minimum wage as one approach to protect vulnerable workers.

He pointed out that persons without union representation who are employed in small and medium businesses will also benefit.

However, Mr. Charles noted that the increase represents minimum standards and urged those paying above the minimum wage to continue to do so.

He said there has also been a significant increase in penalties for persons who fail to comply with the orders pertaining to both the national minimum wage and the payment for security guards.

Last September the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission undertook a review of the minimum wage

The National Minimum Wage was last increased in January, 2007 by 14 per cen