Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for the Public Service, Labour, and Gender Relations, has supported Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre’s calls for employers to refrain from laying off workers due to the country’s first-ever minimum wage.
Albert-Poyotte, however, has also called for workers to be honest and deliver a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.
Last week, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre put employers on notice not to lay off workers following the implementation of the minimum wage policy on August 1, which will take effect on October 1, 2024.
According to Pierre, with the implementation of the island’s minimum wage, which was arrived at by a minimum wage commission, no worker in this country will earn less than $1,130 a month, or $52.00 daily or $6.52 hourly.
Pierre encouraged employers to accept the measure for greater equity in society.
He warned that layoffs would sow the seeds of discord and disenchantment and probably influence criminal activity.
During Monday’s pre-cabinet press briefing, Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte emphasized that the minimum wage would be separate from any incentives, bonuses, commissions, or service charges employees earn.
“We know that some persons will have issues with that but this is what the legislation speaks to,” Albert-Poyotte stated.
The Babonneau MP explained that the period between August 1 and October 1 would allow employers time to make the necessary adjustments on their books.
The Labour Minister also told reporters that the term of the minimum wage commission has also been extended to monitor the minimum wage implementation process.
“They will still be operating so that they monitor the implementation of the minimum wage. They will get the staff support, and the support of the Labour department,” Albert-Poyotte disclosed.
In addition, the Labour Minister said the Minimum Wage Commission will investigate whether employers are laying off workers because of the minimum wage.
“That may require Government going in to find out whether it is a situation where economically they cannot afford it or whether they just feel their profit level has dropped and therefore they need to relieve workers. We will engage employers on a one on one,” she said.
Poyotte said the government must also abide by the minimum wage and pay persons working within the service at the new rate.
“So we want the co-operation of other employers to continue to employ persons and give them a decent salary to go home. Because if you want your workers to perform, you want them motivated, and you do not have to underpay them,” the minister stated.
How will you know employer lay off worker due to minimum wage increase? The employer can simply reduce labor force to operate at a profit. Also who can stop businesses from raising prices on goods and services. I support pay increase however small but I am also a realist.
I don’t know much about the minister but this what I know she cannot be relected to represent babonneau again so she might want to have her brother DRY WOOD or her father KENTY run in her place so for those going to forget please write that down somewhere n keep it safe
Mean while the labor department and labor tribunal is a no show. So workers has no protection and no redress