Minister of Labour and Attorney General Senator Claudette Joseph has announced that many sectors in the Grenadian economy will benefit from the new Minimum Wage legislation that will take effect from January 1, 2024.
Addressing reporters at a press conference on Tuesday, Sen. Joseph said that in some instances, workers will receive a 100% increase in their salaries, and in some cases “we have increases that really reflect what the market conditions are now…”
“We will see for the first time in twelve years new Minimum Wages applied in Grenada across the board,” she added.
Highlighting the rigorous consultation and research process that began in April 2023, the senior government minister noted that the 17-month old Congress government is “particularly proud of this achievement…”
She went on to say: “In the new order that will take effect, we will see Minimum Wages increase across the board, across all sectors that are currently in the legislation.”
According to Sen. Joseph, there will be “some new sectors added under the new Minimum Wages Order.”
In her address, she indicated that members of the media will also be included in the new Minimum Wages Order in that Radio Announcers and News Reporters will now receive a salary of $375.00 per week.
She disclosed that there will be significant changes in earnings for Caregivers who look after the elderly including those at Homes for the Aged.
“This will see a 100% increase from $700 to $1400,” she said.
During the press conference held at the Parliamentary building in St. George’s, Sen. Joseph revealed that some occupations have not abided by the Minimum Wage Order in recent years.
She said that bus operators and conductors are a few of the occupations that have “left the Minimum Wages Order behind.”
She told reporters that bus operators’ pay of “$60 to $65” per day have not reflected what has been established in the previous Minimum Wages Order.
Under the new Minimum Wage Order, bus drivers will receive $80 per day.
The Consumer Affairs Minister reiterated that the wages will be based on inflation and what the market is currently offering.
Another industry to experience a sizable increase in employees’ salaries is in the area of Sanitation.
Sanitation workers will no longer collect $65 per day but $108 starting in January.
Industrial workers will receive payments within the range of $60 to $100, Clerical workers $1,200 per month, Bakery workers such as Oven men and Bakers will shift from $250 to $375 per week.
In addition, Pastry men and women will now receive $350 per week, Packers and Wrappers $300 per week.
The minister announced that Agricultural workers will now work for $60 a day, and that Construction workers will benefit from an increase across the board with labourers and helpers receiving $60 and $65 per day respectively.
The Minimum Wage legislation will also cover Early Childhood workers who will now get a flat $1200 a month.
Call Center workers will be the newest addition to the new Minimum Wage Order and these workers will now be paid $8.50 an hour.
The Attorney General indicated also that payment will be equal “across the board” regardless of gender or parish.