A TRIPARTITE committee is expected to meet soon to continue discussions to increase the minimum wage in the private sector to $60,000.
The minimum wage in the public sector currently stands at $70,000.

Speaking at a virtual press conference last Monday, Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, explained that last year the tripartite committee had begun discussions and the increase to $60,000 was proposed.

However, meetings of the committee had stalled and are expected to begin again in the near future.
“It is a matter that is outstanding. There is a tripartite committee between labour, government and business that met, discussed this matter and a proposal is on the table that is since last year. For whatever reason, the tripartite committee has not engaged again,” Hamilton explained.

“As I understand it, the proposal had to do with $60,000 in the first instance, that’s what I learnt. The question is how soon they engage to concretise that proposal. I have instructed the Chief Labour Officer [Charles Ogle] to have that meeting convened so that the proposal for the raising of the minimum wage can be dealt with and implemented.”

The private sector minimum wage has not increased since 2017 when it was raised from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the monthly wage from $35,000 to $44,200.

However, last year Consultant of the Labour Department, Francis Carryl, had concluded that the economy was vastly changing and another increase is crucial.
Minister Hamilton noted however that even as the discussions continue, the full implementation of the change would be affected by the current COVID-19 situation, which has been having severe economic effects on the private sector.

Over the past few months, in Guyana, many businesses have had to either shutter their doors or effect major cut backs to remain in business. With finances tight, many have also even had to ask employees to take pay cuts so that they could afford to keep them employed.

Nonetheless, Hamilton was optimistic on the way forward and that an agreement will be reached eventually.

“When the tripartite committee meets we will have to discuss it to see how best we can keep the gentleman’s agreement regarding the increase,” he said.