Last week, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre put employers on notice not to lay off workers following the implementation of Saint Lucia’s first minimum wage policy.
The prime minister was addressing a gathering in Soufriere on Emancipation Day.
Pierre described the day as one of immense importance for the nation and especially for descendants of enslaved Africans throughout the Caribbean.
“Today is a powerful reminder of the abolition of slavery, a brutal and inhumane system which was imposed on our ancestors for almost four hundred years,” he said.
The prime minister added that the day called for reflection on our ancestors’ sacrifices, triumphs, and rich history.
“Our forefathers would be proud if we could be a society of equity and justice. This is why on this August 1, 2024, my Government is implementing the first-ever new minimum wage for the workers of this country,” the prime minister announced.
“No worker in this country,” Pierre said, “will earn less than $1,130 a month, or $52.00 daily or $6.52 hourly.”
According to the prime minister, thirteen thousand people will benefit from salary increases because of this policy implemented on August 1, 2024, but will take effect on October 1, 2024
He added that the minimum wage does not include payments that an employee is entitled to, such as overtime, a share of service charge, commissions, bonuses, or profit sharing.
“I want to encourage all employers to accept this act for greater equity in our society,” Pierre said.
“There are whispers that some of you are planning to do otherwise. I want to discourage you from attempting to lay off workers, instead of rewarding their years of hard work with this minimum wage,” the PM stated.
“To do this would be to sow the seeds of discord, disenchantment and probably criminal activity,” Pierre warned.
He said this would be counterproductive for all of us in the long run.
” While we understand the profit motive of businesses, I want to appeal to you to give equal consideration to the welfare of your employees and your social responsibility to the wider community. Let us, therefore, all embrace this minimum wage, with the spirit in which it is being implemented today—the spirit of emancipation from injustice,” Pierre expressed.
In addition, Pierre implored workers to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.
On August 1, it was also announced that the Government had implemented a monthly increase for Government pensioners, who will now receive $725.
National Insurance Corporation (NIC) pensioners would receive no less than $500 monthly, up from $300 monthly.
What has the minimum wage got to do with slavery? Slavery ended years ago……….. minimum wage has just come to force.
Slavery ended nearly 200 years ago, how ridiculous that the Government is using this as an excuse for this nation’s failure to achieve anything worthwhile in its celebrated 45 years of independence. Who the **** are they trying to kid? Clearly they believe the people to be so utterly gullible they can still use slavery as an excuse for everything they get wrong. Drag yourselves into the 21st Century, lessons have been learned from history, don’t keep the people there and stop trying to fob them off with that old chestnut.
“While we understand the profit motive of businesses”
There you go Peep. You put a hole in whatever silly argument you were making right there. Salaries go up, sales don’t go up, profit go down. Are you asking companies to continue to operate while being unprofitable or less profitable? What circus is that pee em living in?
Lol.That is to show you how intelligent our Prime Minister is
@Fedup. Yes slavery ended years ago, but the low pay that some employees receive to this day is similar to slavery in the sense that it doesn’t offer one freedom to truly live comfortable. Just like slavery did it barely allows one to sustain their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. Putting a minimum wage in effect is a step towards ending this.
@ Cielle Terre
I’m not disagreeing that a minimum wage has taken too long coming and that workers need a better wage to live comfortably and get the recognition they deserve.
However the PM WAS talking about emancipation and slavery, when will the past stay in the past and a new and self worth St Lucia thrive on what can be done today.
They will try all tactics to avoid paying the new wage rate by giving increases below the new wage rate to fool the workers . I only hope the NIC will be vigilant and report if they do not see the increases as it relates the new wage rate and report to the labour department. I also hope that is in the law books and employers and face penalties if they do not abide by the new wage rate
What do you expect boss. If you’re a small business owner ofcourse you will be forced to cut costs by laying off staff or pass on the increase to the customer. Look out inflation!