Minimum Wage Increases to $7.00 per Hour

Employers and workers in the province are advised that effective January 1, 2007, the minimum wage in the province is increasing from $6.75 to $7.00 per hour.

�Government is committed to finding the right policy mix to tackle poverty including measures to address the minimum wage and income,� said the Honourable Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. �As part of the poverty reduction strategy, we have implemented programs to strengthen the social safety net for all citizens.�

Government is moving forward with a broad range of measures to improve incomes and the social safety net in the province. This included action to raise the minimum wage and eliminate provincial income tax for low income earners as well as move to expand the prescription drug program and increase public investment in the education system.

�Government has committed an additional $64 million per year through the poverty reduction strategy to support new measures to help people with low incomes overcome barriers and access increased benefits and supports,� said Minister Shelley.

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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca