Commission hears oral submissions on minimum wage PROPOSALS FOR an increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) ranging from 10 per cent to approximately 100 per cent have been made to the National Minimum Wage Commission, which is currently hearing oral submissions on the matter at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Several of the 14 agencies/persons which had written submissions, made oral submissions to the Commission yesterday. These included the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA), the Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF), the Bureau of Women's Affairs, Women Working in Progress, the Planning Institute of Jamaica(PIOJ) and a daily-paid household helper whose name was not ascertained. Absent from the both written and oral submissions are those expected from most trade unions. Only the National Workers Union (NWU) and the United Union of Jamaica (UUJ) have made submissions. NWU's island supervisor Vincent Morrison and UUJ's head James Francis will make oral submissions to the Commission next week Friday, October 5. Checks with sources connected to the various organisations revealed that while the private sector organisations the JMA and JEF - suggested that increases be limited to 10 per cent-25 per cent, the women's organisations felt that the increase should be approximately 100 per cent-110 per cent, rising as high as $2,500 per week. The private sector groups have expressed concerns that any sizeable increase, could cause the displacement of people already employed in low-paying jobs. They have asked the Commission to take into consideration factors like the GDP, inflation, income tax and the need for better social services. They suggested that the minimum wage could not alleviate poverty, but that more jobs would. The Commission is expected to complete the submissions aspect of its deliberations next week Friday. It is on target to make its proposals to the Minister of Labour and Social Security by month end. 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., the JEF is represented by Silvera Castro and the JCTU by Hopeton Caven. - B.H.
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