Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
TWO prominent union leaders want the government to raise the minimum wage to $350 a week, but the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Federation (BCCEC) is uncertain whether businesses would support any increase.
Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle indicated on Monday that the government is considering another minimum wage increase “in the near future.” This announcement surprised some, as she said in November that the government would not support another increase after adjusting the rate in January 2023.
Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) president Kimsley Ferguson said while a $350 weekly wage may not fully address the cost of living crisis, it would be an “appropriate” sum for workers now.
“The cost of living has already outpaced the current salaries and any proposed increases, so it would be a good step towards where we need to go,” he said.
Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), agreed, saying: “The average person in this country needs to live on at least $350, not $260. What is $260?”
Dr Leo Rolle, president of the BCCEC, could not say whether his organisation would support a proposed wage hike.
“The mood in the business community right now is very burdened,” he said, citing several challenges affecting businesses and noting that any cost increase would be a further concern. He said the BCCEC plans to survey its members for feedback on the government’s latest announcement.
Mrs Glover-Rolle did not provide a timeline for a decision but emphasised
the need for a phased and “data-driven” approach.
Mr Ferguson agreed that economic factors must be considered and called for consultation. He said current wages are not enough and believes the government should have raised increments for public servants further to help absorb costs.
Some public servants recently reported that incremental increases were not accurately reflected in their monthly pay. Labour officials explained that
employees had not considered the impact of the increased National Insurance Board contribution rate.
Mr Ferguson said: “For someone whose annual increase was $450, or $37.50 per month, the national insurance deduction would have absorbed at least $17.11 of that amount, leaving a balance of about $20.39. When spread across a month, this results in a daily increase of about 65 cents, which is effectively no increase at all.”
Comments
bahamianson 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Wow, this guy is crazy. How about everyone start their own business and no one will need a minimum wage. People need to be self employed.
realfreethinker 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Then how he ger get paid. you know that's all he concerned about
joeblow 4 months, 3 weeks ago
... plenty young single mothers will work for $250.week, off the books. No NIB, no union nonsense etc., and those who expect more will be out of a job. So you see market forces will see some unemployed, while others will have two jobs off the books!
SP 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Two union chiefs calling for $350 minimum wage are 100% right to do so!
It is unimaginable that anyone be expected to live on $260.00 per week and come to work properly dressed and motivated while constantly worrying about not being able to make ends meet.
Meanwhile their hoggish employers enjoy their big houses, yachts, kids in the best collages abroad, take multiple annual vacations, routinely splurge hundreds on lunch and dinners, fancy cars, have fat bank accounts, and overindulge enjoying their best life 24/7.
This is neocolonialism slave master mentality 101.
These are the same people that love to hire patronizing Asians, Haitians, and Latinos whom they treat like little stupid children.
M0J0 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I mean its simply economics. If you raise taxes, you have to raise wages. There is no way one can survive having more coming out of their monthly wage with it staying low as everything else rises. We do not have tax returns and if they continue to keep taxing for some it would be smarter to simply not work. Then the economy will simply collapse.
Sickened 4 months, 3 weeks ago
you need to continue with your economics though... if you raise taxes, then wages soon follow suit. If you raise wages then prices soon follow suit. If you raise prices then inflation follows, and the circle continues.
Higher taxes can certainly start the ball rolling.
Porcupine 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I agree with most of these comments. However, when have we as Bahamian employees ever truly given value for the money spent on wages? Nobody can live on minimum wage. It is unacceptable. On the other hand, the performance of our national workforce, in general, especially government employees, suggests to me that many are totally overpaid for the work they actually do and the attitude they do it with. Right now, while the minimum wage is too low to live on, it is actually too high for what most employers get for their money.
SP 4 months, 3 weeks ago
"Its all about The economy, stupid" Employers get more than they pay for, pay nothing get nothing!
Sickened 4 months, 3 weeks ago
We also need to remember that minimum wage is not necessarily aimed at working adults with children. The population getting minimum wage are usually those starting their careers (i.e. justo out of high school and some just out of college). It also helps young adults working in menial jobs hoping to build experience and helping fund a household with their parents and siblings. Once you're in your middle-to-late twenties most of the population should have been working for a number of years already and have worked themselves up a level or two and minimum wage is comfortably behind them. A person getting, or worried about getting, paid a minimum wage should not be a single parent trying to maintain a household. That situation should be extremely rare and should only happen through unfortunate circumstances (i.e. spouse died unexpectedly) or extreme stupidity. In short... people getting minimum wage should be under 25 and living at home with their parents trying to save money and move up the corporate ladder.
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