A Motion to introduce a National Minimum Wage for Anguilla, has received the full support of the Members of Parliament at the Sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday 11th July, 2023. The Honourable Minister of Labour, Mr. Kenneth Hodge presented the Motion.
The minimum wage rate proposed is US$6.00 or EC$16.20. This figure resulted from extensive research and study carried out by an Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Economist Dr. Wycliffe Fahie, who assiduously conducted work on the proposed minimum wage over a one-year period. The minimum wage is due to come into effect in January of 2024.
In presenting the motion, Minister Hodge declared: “Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the members of this Honourable House that today, after some thirty-five years, we have finally made a minimum wage in Anguilla a reality.”
“Our people deserve fair compensation even as they seek, and are dedicated to, noble work,” he said. “Madam Speaker, in the Executive Council Meeting of Wednesday, June 21st 2023, the Council gave approval to a recommendation by the Minimum Wage Committee for a minimum hourly wage rate, for Anguilla, of US$6.00, equivalent to EC$6.20.”
With the establishment of the minimum wage, it would mean that an employer cannot legally pay an employee any amount less than US$6.00 or its EC$16.20 equivalent. By the same token, if an employer has been paying an employee an hourly wage rate that is higher than the US$6.00 or its EC$16.20, then that employee’s hourly wage rate cannot be legally reduced.
“An employer to whom a minimum wage order applies shall, from the date of effect of the minimum wage order, pay to the employee wages and such other terms and conditions of employment which are not less than the minimum wage prescribed in the minimum wage order,” he stressed.
“Where an employee enjoys wages and terms and conditions of employment that are more favorable than those prescribed in the minimum his or her employer shall not reduce his or her wages or terms and conditions of employment to those prescribed in the minimum wage order,” Minister Hodge reiterated.
One of the questions asked by the Honourable Opposition Leader, Cora Richardson-Hodge was whether the public would be given an opportunity to further discuss the minimum wage. The Minister announced that further public consultation meetings will, indeed, be held to discuss the recommendations in the minimum wage report.
