Minimum wage to increase on May 1

Labour Minister Anna Thistle wishes to remind employers and employees, that the province�s minimum wage will increase from $5.50 to $5.75 on May 1, 2002, followed by a further 25 cent increase to $6.00 on November 1, 2002.

"This reminder is a follow-up to a six-month notice requirement announced in 2001, to provide employers with ample time to make payroll adjustments," said Thistle.

This will be the first increase in the minimum wage since 1999, and will now bring the province�s rate in line with the rest of Atlantic Canada.

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-1741.

2002 04 23           11:30 a.m.