Prime Minister Gaston Browne says any increase to the country’s minimum wage must be carefully managed to avoid harming small businesses and the wider economy.
Browne said adjustments would have a ripple effect, particularly on small businesses that employ many minimum-wage workers, warning that sharp increases could lead to layoffs or closures.
“We have to create the balance… to ensure employees are treated fairly, while at the same time ensuring the sustainability of businesses,” he said, cautioning against immediate jumps to levels such as US$15 per hour.
He added that wage increases could also affect higher salary brackets, requiring adjustments across pay scales to maintain differences between categories.
The prime minister said an increase is expected but will be guided by feedback from a two-week consultation process. He also noted the proposed changes could cost the government about $11 million annually and may have implications for inflation.
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Why he never talk like this before the SPN by-election?
And so the back-tracking begins from the Prime Minister – oh well, I suppose this is what we the electorate voted for … more obfuscation!
WE DESERVE EVERYTHING THAT’S COMING OUR WAY FROM THE PLAYBOOK MASTER!
Prime minister Gaston Brown I like you. I think that you are a brilliant leader. You amaze me with some of the things you do. You being so down to earth and in touch with your people is one of the things I love most about you. I definitely do not see an organized opposition yet to take your place.
Speaking now from the point of view of someone who was in a higher pay bracket and had to come down to almost minimum wage, here are the facts:
The real estate market does not cater to those in this pay bracket. ( Please look into it, something needs to be regulated because its crazy). There is no way that you can find anything comfortable below the 12/15 hundred dollar per month rate.
This pay bracket does not cater to a single parent. Rent, food, school and clothes is not happening on this minimum wage salary.
Owning a home in this pay bracket is impossible. There is no way to come up with collateral. So unless there is a system in place where people in this bracket could be allowed the have these homes and just pay their monthly, they will never own one.
I do understand from the employers perspective what could happen with a drastic increase but sir, an increase to $13 per month in phases?
Think about the people in this pay bracket. This will still come in as nothing to them. Those are the people suffering out here.
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