Two Orders that will increase the national minimum wage, and the minimum wage for industrial security guards were approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 22).
Piloted by Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, they are the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Order, 2022 and the Minimum Wage Industrial Security Guards (Amendment) Order, 2022.
The proposed increases are to become effective April 1, 2022.
To this end, the national minimum wage will be increased from $7,000 to $9,000 per 40-hour work week or from $175 to $225 per hour.
The minimum wage for industrial security guards will move from $9,700 to $10,500 per 40-hour work week or from $242.50 to $262.50 per hour.
Security guards will also benefit from increases in laundry allowance, which will move from $44 to $47.62 per hour, and firearm premium allowance, which will go up from $48 to $51.95 per hour.
The dog handlers’ premium allowance will be increased from $33 to $35.72 per hour, while life insurance with double indemnity protection and dismemberment coverage will also increase from $2.75 million to $2.97 million.
Mr. Samuda said the new rates resulted from recommendations from the National Minimum Wage Commission, which were submitted to the Ministry following public consultations.
Additionally, Mr. Samuda noted that several factors were taken into consideration in arriving at the revised rates.
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