17th May 2023

Minimum Wage Commission close to making a recommendation to    Cabinet of Ministers

By DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

The momentum    driving Government’s groundbreaking efforts to establish a national minimum wage for workers is crackling with   energy and focus   says the   Chairperson of the Commission and veteran unionist Mr. Lawrence   Poyotte.

The Commission met as recently as Friday, May 12, 2023 along with the Minister for Labour Dr. Virginia Albert - Poyotte, to articulate the progress already achieved and to harness the necessary support for moving ahead.

Mr. Poyotte noted that the Commission has been meeting since September 2022, on an average of twice a month. He says although not at liberty to make any public disclosures,   he can confirm that a scientific method is being used   to    arrive at the proposed   minimum wage.

 “We have made significant progress and we should be in a position to make a recommendation to the Minister.

“Basically we had a consultation   with the Minister to see how we can strengthen the work of the Commission. We’re using a methodology that was developed by the OECD and ILO normally referred to as the Kaitz Formula.” This term is   also known as the Kaitz Ratio or Index, which is used by many countries to determine the median or minimum wage.

Mr.  Poyotte explained that this formula   could lead to a sound figure, once it is applied to locally available data.

The Minimum Wage Commission comprises a cross-section of   representatives for employers, trade unions, and persons appointed by the Minister, on the advice of Cabinet. The Minimum Wage Commission is expected to remain functional  even after the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a historic minimum wage for Saint Lucia.

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