Wage commission to meet groups ORGANISATIONS WHICH have already made written submissions to the National Minimum Wage Advisory Commission are to be requested to make oral presentations later this month. The Gleaner understands that the Commission has already received submissions from about 14 organisations, including the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, the Jamaica Employers Federation, the Women's Bureau, trade unions and the Household Helpers Association. The Commission is to invite all those who have made written submissions to meet with them on September 26 and October 5, at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, North Street, Kingston. The JEF's representative on the Commission, Silvera Castro, confirmed this last week. He said that in addition to the submissions, the members have also been doing some "footwork" to inform its decision. "We will be guided by the economic situation and the effect that the National Minimum Wage will have on the economy, especially employers, because we won't want to displace anybody," he said. The Commission, however, had only its first meeting at the Ministry, he said. It had been expected to start sitting before the end of August, to review the current minimum wage rates and make a report to Minister of Labour and Social Security, Donald Buchanan, by the end of October. This will facilitate the introduction of new minimum rates by January. Mr. Castro said the Commission will meet the October deadline. The Commission is a tripartite body comprising representatives of the Government, trade unions and the employers. It is a permanent institution which advises the Minister on all matters relating to national minimum wages. The current chairman is Norma Linton, Q.C., and the Jamaica Confedera-tion of Trade Unions (JCTU) is represented by Hopeton Caven.
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