Prime Minister Philip J Pierre disclosed plans to implement an updated Minimum Wage or Liveable Wage agenda to better cater to the general welfare of workers in the country.
He said that in 2022, the government appointed a Minimum and Equal Wages Commission consisting of trade union representatives and personnel from the public and private sectors.
The prime minister reported that the Commission has completed its preliminary report, and will proceed with the task.
“The Commission will prepare the draft order containing a recommended minimum wage for publication in the gazette and to present its recommendations to the representatives of employees and employers as prescribed by the Labour Act,” PM Pierre told legislators, during the Budget Presentation, on Tuesday.
Quoting from Section 77 of the Labour Act, he defined the manner in which the Commission will function: “When there is such a referral, the Commission by publication in the gazette and submission to organisations representing employees and employers invite comments and objections relating to the making of a Minimum Wage Order within twenty-one days of the publication.”
Notably, declared PM Pierre, the authorities are optimistic about this transition, and it is anticipated that “Saint Lucian workers will have a new Minimum Liveable Wage by August 1, 2024.”
The regulations allow for “Objections to the making of a Minimum Wage Order”, and requests must be submitted to the Minister. These objections must entail the grounds of objections, the nature an individual’s’ interest in that matter, and in addition, modifications or amendments to the draft order that the individual considers to be suitable.
Commenting on the issue, Minister of Labour and Gender Relations Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte said that the Liveable Wage will vary in its application, depending on the specific industry. The rates will be calculated at an hourly rate.