The $60,147 National Minimum wage for the private sector will come into effect from July 1, 2022. This is according to an official gazette released by the Ministry of Labour.
The Order released by the Ministry of Labour stated that the minimum rate of wages payable to an employed person should not be less than $347 per hour or $2776 per day, or $13,880 per week.
"Where at the commencement of this Order a worker is in receipt of a wage at a rate that is higher than that prescribed in this Order, the employer shall continue to pay to that worker wages at such higher rate and not to reduce the rate on account of this Order," the release stated.
The Ministry of Labour, in the Order, noted that the normal week should be 40 hours, which shall not exceed five days per week. Any hours of work beyond the normal hours shall be paid at rates set out in the Factories (Hours and Holidays) Act and the Labour (Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers) Act.
Employers who are not in compliance with this Order shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50,000 for the first offence and for any second or subsequent offence to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for a month.
During the Enmore Martyrs Day Commemoration, President Irfaan Ali announced that the Cabinet had approved the $60,000 national minimum wage for persons employed in the private sector.
Private Sector representatives have already indicated that they support the new minimum wage.
