[Jersey] Government rules out abolition of minimum wage

In Jersey, the government has confirmed that it has ruled out abolishing the minimum wage, The Times Jersey reports.

Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham announced its stance after Sustainable Economic Development Minister Gerald Voisin wrote to the Jersey Evening Post describing the minimum wage as “strangling our economy”.

Mr Voisin’s remarks reportedly came in the wake of calls from economist and Value Jersey board member Douglas Kruger to remove the statutory wage floor. The minister had supported the Value Jersey political movement during the election.

Mr Farnham stated that Mr Voisin’s comments represented his personal opinion and did not reflect the position of either the Council of Ministers or the States Assembly.

He added that the government recognised that the minimum wage was an important issue requiring careful consideration, but said that it remained an important safeguard for workers.

According to Mr Farnham, the wage floor helps ensure employees are fairly rewarded, protects workers from excessively low pay and provides financial security for many islanders and their families.

The government is reportedly expected to consider the future level of the minimum wage as part of its wider policy programme and budget discussions. It will examine the rate itself and how quickly it should increase.

Mr Farnham highlighted that responsibility for the minimum wage rests with Social Security Minister Senator Elaine Millar. He said ministers would have the opportunity to consider any proposals before decisions were made, with the government taking into account the interests of workers, businesses and the wider island economy.

He was, however, clear about the immediate direction of government policy.

“The Government has no plans to propose the abolition of the minimum wage,” he said.

Any proposal to abolish the wage would ultimately have to be decided by the States Assembly, Mr Farnham said, adding that the minimum wage was not an option currently being pursued by the government.

Source: The Times Jersey

(Quote via original reporting)

In Jersey, the government has confirmed that it has ruled out abolishing the minimum wage, The Times Jersey reports.

Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham announced its stance after Sustainable Economic Development Minister Gerald Voisin wrote to the Jersey Evening Post describing the minimum wage as “strangling our economy”.

Mr Voisin’s remarks reportedly came in the wake of calls from economist and Value Jersey board member Douglas Kruger to remove the statutory wage floor. The minister had supported the Value Jersey political movement during the election.

Mr Farnham stated that Mr Voisin’s comments represented his personal opinion and did not reflect the position of either the Council of Ministers or the States Assembly.

He added that the government recognised that the minimum wage was an important issue requiring careful consideration, but said that it remained an important safeguard for workers.

According to Mr Farnham, the wage floor helps ensure employees are fairly rewarded, protects workers from excessively low pay and provides financial security for many islanders and their families.

The government is reportedly expected to consider the future level of the minimum wage as part of its wider policy programme and budget discussions. It will examine the rate itself and how quickly it should increase.

Mr Farnham highlighted that responsibility for the minimum wage rests with Social Security Minister Senator Elaine Millar. He said ministers would have the opportunity to consider any proposals before decisions were made, with the government taking into account the interests of workers, businesses and the wider island economy.

He was, however, clear about the immediate direction of government policy.

“The Government has no plans to propose the abolition of the minimum wage,” he said.

Any proposal to abolish the wage would ultimately have to be decided by the States Assembly, Mr Farnham said, adding that the minimum wage was not an option currently being pursued by the government.

Source: The Times Jersey

(Quote via original reporting)