During the Government’s press conference on Monday 21st August, 2023, the Honourable Minister of Labour, Mr. Kenneth Hodge, gave a comprehensive update regarding the progress on the Minimum Wage.
“You will recall that in preparation for the implementation of Minimum Wage in Anguilla,” the Minister said, “we published an Order in the Official Gazette dated July 10th, 2023 for a period of one month, during which time members of the public could make written submissions related to their views and concerns about the Minimum Wage. The Ministry is in receipt of two written submissions to date – one from a member of the general public and the other from a small business operator.”
“We have therefore extended this period for a further four weeks, until Friday, September 8th, 2023 in order to allow further time for written submissions,” he said. “We are aware that there have been much public discussion and media posts on this subject, which is an indication that it is a subject of considerable interest. However, for consideration, persons will have to make written submissions to the Ministry.”
The Mister continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that ‘a minimum wage provides a base wage rate/price floor for employees and can be expressed as an hourly, daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly rate. It can also be expressed by reference to output’.”
He said, “The definition of a minimum wage, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) is: ‘the minimum sum payable to a worker for work performed or services rendered, within a given period, whether calculated on the basis of time or output, which may not be reduced either by individual or collective agreement, which is guaranteed by law and which may be fixed in such a way as to cover the minimum needs of the worker and his/her family, in light of national economic and social conditions’.”
“So just to reiterate,” he indicated, “the proposed rate of US$6.00 is a floor and not a ceiling. I wish to remind our listening and viewing audience of Sections 83, 84 and 85 of the Labour Relations Act 2018.”
The Minister also addressed further public consultation on the Minimum Wage: “You will also recall that the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee held two public consultations earlier in the year, the first for employees and the second for employers in addition to a number of other focused group meetings with various sectors. A third public consultation will be held at the Gallery of the House of Assembly on Monday 11th September, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All interested members of the general public including the business community and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.”
Minister Hodge noted that shortly, in due course, a document will go back to the Council, making recommendations and seeking approval for a Final Wage Order which will be laid before the House of Assembly ahead of January 1st, 2024.
