Changes within the country’s economic situation have established a need for a review of the minimum wage. That observation from trade unionist David Massiah.
Massiah who is the General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU), says a committee should be put in place to begin discussions on the matter.
“With the impact of COVID-19, it is an opportune time for us to really review and to see exactly what is happening to working people in general. That is the reason why the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union is calling on the government to establish that committee, to convene such a committee, to appoint them and let them begin their work.”
“The situation is that everything has to be dealt with, let us face it right now, workers are now living on an advisory that was made back in 2013 and so they are living at that rate of almost six years behind their time,” the General Secretary expressed.
The minimum wage is now set at $8.20 per hour, which means an individual working for a minimum wage makes approximately $1,312 monthly.
Meanwhile upon hearing the call of the Union‘s General Secretary for a review of the minimum wage Labour Minister Steadroy Benjamin said “serious consideration will be given to raising the minimum wage in Antigua and Barbuda, which is currently pegged at $8.20 per hour, to ensure that every citizen is able to earn a salary or wage to maintain a decent standard of living“.
Minister Benjamin gave that undertaking on Wednesday and confirmed that talks are currently underway with several partners to look at the issue.
“It is being discussed at this very minute; we intend to bring in the National Labour Board and have meetings with the different organisations, and together we shall get a wage that is reasonable under the circumstances,” Benjamin said.
He also stated that the minimum wage in the twin island state is relatively higher when compared to other islands within the Caribbean.
