Province's minimum wage to increase

Kevin Aylward, Minister for Environment and Labour, announced today that the province's minimum wage will increase effective April 1, 1997 to $5.25 per hour. The minimum overtime rate is $7.88.

These increases are the second stage of the two-staged initiative announced in the House of Assembly on May 21, 1996. The first stage saw the minimum wage increase from $4.75 per hour to $5.00 per hour on September 1, 1996. This initiative is an important step in bringing the province's minimum wage closer to achieving a harmonization of the minimum wage with the other Atlantic provinces.

Increasing the minimum wage will have a positive impact on the income and spending power of people who work in the retail trade, home and child care, accommodation, food and beverage industries. Mr. Aylward said: "I believe this increase in the minimum wage brings with it a renewed sense of optimism for the future and an opportunity for all workers in the province to enjoy a better quality of life".

Contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.