Devon Dick
THE JAMAICA Employers' Federation (JEF) will host its annual convention at the recently renovated Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, from May 19 to May 22. It is significant that 500 employers will end their 23rd Convention on the penultimate day before Labour Day, and it is hoped that workers' rights and right pay for workers will be an issue.
Hopefully, at the convention, the employers will take the executive of the JEF to task for tarnishing the name of the organisation by recommending and defending its decision to propose 3 per cent increase on minimum wage. In addition, the executive opposed Minister of Labour, the Hon. Horace Dalley, for giving a 20 per cent increase, which was below the inflation rate for the period from the last increase to the life of the present increase.
REASONABLE WAGE
There are employers of choice who pay their workers a reasonable wage and some are embarrassed by the proposal of the executive. According to reports, there are companies, such as Ritz- Carlton, whose slogan is 'Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen', that pay workers accordingly. But there are too many businesses that are paying below the minimum wage, at the minimum or just above it. The paradoxical thing is that these same companies sponsor events and get much publicity from the media who are unaware of the working conditions of employees.
The employers who are paying workers well should move a resolution at the convention disassociating themselves from the recommendation that wanted to move the minimum wage from $2,000 a week to $2,060 a week. There was no basis for that. The minimum wage earners did not sign an MoU with the government. To increase the wage of a minimum wage earner by 3 per cent when the inflation rate had increased by approximately 17 per cent since the last increase was to condemn people to 'persistent poverty'. Furthermore, 3 per cent on $2,000 is not the same thing as 3 per cent on $50,000.
And if the convention remains silent in light of this injustice then the Church should lead a boycott of any employer who pays below the Mead-Haven Ministers' Fraternal recommended $4,000 a week. The fraternal, comprising 16 congregations and representing 14 different denominations, had sent a petition to the Parliament recommending a 40-hour work week; an increase in the fine from $200 to $20,000 for those who do not pay the minimum wage, and better benefits. So far nothing has changed. It is time for a boycott.
Would anyone pay his or her mother or brother less than $4,000 a week for any work?
Recently, the churches in Florida boycotted Taco Bell because the tomato workers were not enjoying the same rights and privileges as workers in other industries. And on March 8 Taco Bell agreed to increase wages. Last year, the churches in North Carolina boycotted Mt. Olive Pickle Company until it agreed to increase the wages for cucumber pickers.
Workers need a fair scale of wages so that employees can be entirely independent. Fair wages will help the worker to be able to secure education. So said the Rev. William Knibb, OM in 1834!
LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY
A minimum wage should be determined based on level of responsibility, ability to pay, qualifications and skills of the worker, quality of work, importance of the work, cost of living and what is required to raise a family in terms of providing education, shelter, security, clothes and food. Fringe benefits are like bonuses and must not be confused with basic pay. Nor should expenses to get the job done, e.g., travelling, should be classified as pay.
Also, employers should not hide behind 'productivity', as in certain occupations this is not easy to measure. When a banker received $150 million as part of a severance pay package, there was no comment about 'productivity', so why is it when there's a move to increase the minimum wage to $124,800 per annum 'productivity' becomes a major determining factor?
Employers are rightly asking for internationally competitive interest rates and utility bills. Therefore, minimum wage should be internationally competitive. In England the minimum wage is £5 per hour, or £200 for a 40-hour work week.
If the Jamaica Employers' Federation will not change its position, then it is time for a boycott!
The Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot; the Church in nation-building.'
