29 October 2008
The Employment Forum has today presented its minimum wage recommendation to the Social Security Minister. If accepted, the minimum wage would rise to £6.08 per hour from 1 April 2009. This is an increase of 4.8 percent on the current rate.
The Forum has also recommended increases in the trainee rate and the maximum amounts that can be offset against the minimum wage where an employer provides accommodation, or accommodation and food, to an employee. These amounts will also increase by 4.8% from 1 April 2009.
Wendy Lambert, Chair of the Employment Forum, said “We conducted our review of the minimum wage during July and August of this year. We believe that our recommendations achieve an appropriate balance, having taken into account the consultation responses, as well as the statistical indices that were available and expert advice about the current uncertain economic situation.”
The Social Security Minister is expected to consider the recommendations over the coming weeks with the intention that the required legislation to bring the increases into effect will be debated by the States early in 2009.
The Forum’s full recommendation is available on the States website www.gov.je/ChiefMinister/PublicConsultations/
Copies may also be obtained from Kate Morel, k.morel@gov.je or 447204.
gov.je