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It is only some two years
ago that the island’s Employment Forum made quite clear its commitment
to promoting a Minimum Wage that would not only be above the 40% mark of
the average weekly income, but that would also be gradually increased
incrementally to a goal of 45%. This was to try and ensure those at the
lowest end of the employment market were protected.
The figure for 2009, of course, was set at 40.5% or an hourly rate of
£6.08. Unfortunately, come 2010 and we have seen both Forum, and Social
Security Minister Ian Gorst, retreating from this position; the 2010
position slipping back to the 40% mark. Effectively this has left those
at the very bottom more vulnerable than ever given recent events, both
local and global, when. the reality surely is that these workers really
need government to stand firm and support them.
Of course, it would be quite wrong to assume that all employers make use
of the possibility to employ staff at the most basic legal rate; far
from it. Many employers fully understand the value and incentive of
striving to pay their staff that little bit extra as they recognise the
benefits to the business in terms of effort, loyalty and commitment. In
the final analysis, however, it is difficult to get away from the
argument that this really is about the difference between a ‘living’
minimum wage and one of mere ‘existence’.
Two of the JDA’s Deputies, Geoff and Trevor, have taken two different
approaches to challenging this malaise. Some might call this approach a
‘hard’ and a ‘soft’ option. Geoff is proposing a rate of £6.28; Trevor
the rate of £6.36. But with a third amendment set at a slightly higher
rate still being rumoured to be lodged shortly, by a non-JDA politician,
whatever the outcome we feel that this can only be positive thing. The
proposition and the amendments should, after all, ensure that a crucial
and yet much over-looked issue will receive a full and vigorous debate
on February 23rd.
The people of Jersey, both employers and employees should expect nothing
less |
