Vincent Morrison
One of Jamaica's trade unions has recommended a 10 per cent wage increase for household helpers and a 15 per cent adjustment for industrial security guards.
The Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) has sent a letter to the National Minimum Wage Advisory Commission with its recommendations.
The Commission is now conducting islandwide consultations on the new minimum wage.
UCASE President Vincent Morrison said the union has recommended further increases.
"We are proposing a 12 per cent increase across the board. We believe that the position is fair, reasonable, and we hope that the commission will agree to our position," he said.
Additionally, UCASE has asked the National Minimum Wage Commission to consider special provisions for security guards.
"We believe that we'll have to move from this idea that each year or every two years we give the security guards a little increase, while when it comes to things like work hours, overtime pay, public holidays, the security guard doesn't get any recognition for these situations," Mr. Morrison contended.
Below the minimum wage
The Ministry of Labour, in the meantime, will be dispatching teams to observe the operations of haberdasheries across Jamaica.
Silvero Castro, Chairman for the National Minimum Wage Commission, who was speaking at the Montego Bay stop of the minimum wage consultations, said these employers were among the worst offenders in paying below minimum wage.
Additionally, work conditions at these entities are often described as sub-standard.
He said the ministry will be investigating these claims "to ensure that (persons) are being paid the minimum wage or above."
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