For some time, there has been talk in Anguilla regarding the establishment of a minimum wage for persons employed in the private and business sectors. It appears that the Labour Department is prepared to move this talk closer towards a reality by appointing a sixteen-member advisory committee.
“I am extremely delighted to announce that the Executive Council has approved the appointment of a Minimum Wage Advisory Committee,” Minister of Labour, Mr Kenneth Hodge, announced during the government press briefing on Monday, June 27.
He noted: “Part 4 of the Labour Relations Act 2018 provides for the appointment of a Minimum Wage Advisory Committee to investigate the conditions of employment for a trade or occupation, and to make recommendations for the fixing of minimum rates of wage.”
Minister Hodge shared the following protocol from the Labour Relations Act which gives guidance to the composition of the committee, and the selection of its individual members:
“A chairperson shall be nominated by the Minister; an equal number of members representing employers and employees, of which one member from each group shall be from the hotel and tourism industry; one member shall be nominated by the Social Security Board; the Commissioner of Labour or her designee who shall be an ex-officio secretary of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee; and any other person the Executive Council deems fit.”
Minister Hodge further outlined the factors that must be considered by the committee before a minimum wage level is decided. The committee shall have regard to:
• The general level of wages
• The cost of living
• The general level of competitiveness of the economy with focus placed on the main industries
• The need to link wage rates with the productivity rates of employees
• The protection of employees.
