I WAS under the impression that the $50,000.00 minimum wage was applicable to employees within the band scale in the Public Service, but, having read Sasenarine Singh’s article, ‘Motivation to Stay’ in the Guyana Chronicle, it would appear that my impression was wrong, since, as he asserts, it is applicable to every employee.
This is, indeed, commendable, as it now means that the salesgirl, domestic, security guard et al will now enjoy a minimum wage similar to that of a junior public servant.
However, I do have some doubts as to the veracity of this assertion, since changing the minimum wage for certain categories of employees, including Sasenarine’s salesgirl, would require an amendment to the minimum wages order made under the Labour Act.
And, maybe, employers in the private sector are also unaware of this change; and that is why the sweep by Simona Broomes in Regent Street netted millions of dollars in arrears for those unfortunate employees barely surviving at $35,000.00 per month. As promised in the budget, I hope the same concern will now be shown to those public service pensioners earning 50% on the minimum grade scale in the public service, in view of the fact that they are no longer subsidised for the usage of water and electricity.
D. SOOKDEO