Despite facing backlash from critics regarding his proposition that the weekly national minimum wage figure be increased to $12,000, Opposition Leader Mark Golding on Tuesday (October 19) defended his stance.

Noting that the country’s national minimum wage figure had not seen an increase in over three years, the Opposition Leader expressed that his proposed increase would help to address some of the issues of poverty facing the country.

“There has not been a wage adjustment at the very bottom of the scale for over three years,” said Golding. “Since then, there has been significant price increases.”

Nothwithstanding the constant fluctuation in the valuation of the Jamaican dollar, over the last few years and in particular since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national weekly minimum wage amount has remained at $7,000 weekly, a figure that was initially set in 2018.

‘The minimum wage must bear some resemblance to the actual cost of living’

In his media address on Tuesday, Golding explained the dire need for action to be taken as it relates to the national minimum wage figure, referencing a situation where he experienced the stark increase in the price of goods over the last few months.

“As I said in my address (to the party’s annual conference), I did my own little survey of comparing an invoice for a list of basic food items from the same wholesaler, a reputable wholesaler, in April and again in August, and the increase was just under 15 per cent,” said the opposition leader.

Given this, he expressed that, “the minimum wage must bear some resemblance to the actual cost of living; and I believe that it is beneficial to the country for families headed by persons who are now earning a wage that is significantly less than the cost to live, even at the most basic level and where wages are really reinforcing poverty in the country”.

Golding further emphasised his belief in the necessity of a minimum wage increase stating: “It is important that we set the minimum wage at a level that will allow people to survive in a better way, and their children would not suffer from the effects of a minimum wage that is significantly lower than the cost to actually live.”

While noting his understanding that some employers may be unable to employ an individual for a five-day week at the increased rate, he argued that if an employer was able to employ an individual at that rate for fewer days, then the person would be free to earn an additional income on the days they are not being paid.

In his speech to the conference on Sunday (October 17), Golding state that a People’s National Party Government would not only increase the national minimum wage to $12,000, but would also commit itself to an annual increase in the figure, instead of the current cycle of up to three years.