Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government will move the national minimum wage from $13,000 to $15,000, per 40-hour work week, effective June 1.

Holness made this announcement during his contribution to the 2024/2025 budget presentation in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 21).

“Effective the 1st of June the national minimum wage will increase from $13,000 per 40-hour work week to $15,000 representing a 15 per cent increase,” Holness informed the House.

The prime minister also announced a wage increase for security guards, seeing their wages moving from $14,000 per week to $15,000. This will also take effect on June 1.

Holness says this increase is to keep working-class Jamaicans and the poorest abreast with inflation.

Last year, the national minimum wage increased from $9,000 to $13,000.