Jamaica New minimum wage takes effect tomorrow

Jamaica New minimum wage takes effect tomorrow

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The recently announced increases in the nationalminimum wage and the minimum wagefor industrial security guards take effect tomorrow.

The national minimum wage will be increased from $5,600 to $6,200 per 40-hour work week.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security said Monday that, arising from nationalminimum wage increase, the new hourly rate for the national minimum wage is $155; the time and half rate is $232.50, and the double time rate will be increased to $310.

The minimum wage for industrial security guards will be increased from $204.97 per hour for a 40-hour work week (single-time rate) or $8,198 weekly to $221.35 per hour for a 40-hour work week or $8,854 weekly.

The ministry said that for security guards, the time and a half rate would be increased to $332.03 while the double time rate is now $442.70.

Allowances for security guards will also be increased. The laundry allowance for will be increased from $37.30 per hour to $40.30 per hour; firearm premium allowance will move from $41.00 per hour to $44.30 per hour; while the dog handler’s premium allowance will be increased from $27.58 per hour to $29.80 per hour.

According to the ministry, the insurance coverage payable on account of security guards who are killed or injured in the line of duty will also be increased from $2,000,000 to $2,500,000.

The release said the minimum wage was recommended by the Minimum Wage AdvisoryCommission, following general consultations as provided for under the Minimum Wage Act.

“The amount represents the minimum rates for groups of wage earners who do not have the bargaining power to negotiate for fair wages,” the ministry said.

The Advisory Commission is comprised of representatives of the government, trade unionsand employers’ groups, and is mandated to review the rates annually.

The national minimum wage was last increased in January 2014.