Human Resources, Labour and Employment
January 8, 2008
Public Consultations Set for Review
of Minimum Wage
The Provincial Government today announced that public
consultations regarding a review of the minimum wage are moving forward
over the coming weeks in the province.
�Public consultations are an important part of the decision-making
process and our government has firmly committed to consulting as widely
as possible regarding future increases to the minimum wage,� said the
Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment. �I encourage the people of the province to participate in
the process to ensure that their views are heard by government.�
The minimum wage review supports the Provincial Government�s Blueprint
commitment to consult and plan for future increases in the minimum wage
in a predictable and incremental manner, and to provide stakeholders
with the opportunity for meaningful input with a view to achieving a
minimum hourly wage of $10 per hour by 2010. Since 2005, the Provincial
Government has increased the minimum wage by 33 per cent. This includes
the Budget 2007 commitment to raise it to $7.50 on October 1, 2007, and
to $8 per hour, effective April 1, 2008.
�The objective of the minimum wage review is to ensure that government
fully appreciates the impacts of the minimum wage rate in the context of
the province�s overall social and economic outlook,� said Minister
Skinner. �I look forward to hearing the views of citizens and
stakeholder groups during the consultation process to better inform our
deliberations regarding the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador.�
There are several ways for individuals to provide their feedback.
Citizens can go on-line,
www.gov.nl.ca/minimumwage, call toll-free, 1-877-563-1063, provide a
written submission, or choose to drop it off directly to either the St.
John�s or Corner Brook Labour Relations Agency (LRA) office.
Beginning January 14, MHA Keith Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, will host a
series of regional public consultation sessions around the province.
Individuals or groups who wish to make a presentation at a regional
session are asked to pre-register by contacting the LRA either through
the toll-free number or by e-mail at
minimumwage@gov.nl.ca.
Written submissions can also be provided to officials at these sessions.
As well, representatives from business and labour, the community-based
sector, women, youth and the academic community will be invited to bring
their views forward through several roundtable discussions.
�The minimum wage rate is also an important consideration for the
Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy,� said Minister Skinner. �The
review of the minimum wage and the broad-based approach to these
consultations serves to inform the strategy�s long-term goals of
improved earned incomes and a stronger social safety net in the
province.�
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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
BACKGROUNDER
The Minimum Wage in Newfoundland and Labrador
The minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage rate that
can be paid to workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under Labour
Standards legislation, the Provincial Government has authority to
establish the minimum hourly wage rate.
In 2006, 14,200 Newfoundland and Labrador workers earned the minimum
wage.
For information regarding the profile of minimum wage earners in
Newfoundland and Labrador, please visit:
//www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/lra/statistics/pdf/AnalysisofMinimumWageEarners.pdf
(PDF)
The Provincial Government is committed to providing individuals and
stakeholders with a meaningful opportunity for input into the 2008
minimum wage review and will consider the results of these consultations
in regard to future increases to the minimum wage rate.
Key Questions for Consideration
What are your views regarding the impact of
achieving a minimum wage of $10 per hour by 2010?
With a view to achieving a minimum wage of $10 per hour by 2010, what is
an appropriate schedule of increases to the minimum wage over this time
period?
If you see challenges associated with increasing the minimum wage, how
could these be addressed?
Consultation Process Details
Individuals and groups may provide comments directly via email at the
following address
www.gov.nl.ca/minimumwage or offer verbal feedback by telephone to
the Labour Relations Agency at 1-877-563-1063.
Other written submissions with respect to the 2008 Minimum Wage Review
can also be forwarded by mail or dropped off to the offices of the
Labour Relations Agency in St. John�s or Corner Brook at either of the
following locations:
2008 Minimum Wage Review Labour Relations Agency Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 3rd Floor, Beothuck Building
20 Crosbie Place P.O. Box 8700 St. John's, NL A1B 4J6 Fax: (709) 729-3528 |
2008 Minimum Wage Review Labour Relations Agency Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 7th Floor, Sir Richard Squires Building
Mount Bernard Avenue P.O. Box 2006 Corner Brook, NL A2H 6J8 Fax: (709) 637-2592 |
The Labour Relations Agency will be accepting public
submissions with respect to the 2008 Minimum Wage Review until February
8, 2008.
In January 2008, direct public consultations will also be taking place
in several communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Schedule of Public Consultations
Community | Date | Time | Location |
Happy Valley-Goose Bay | January 14 | 1:00 p.m. | Hamilton Hotel |
Labrador West | January 15 | 1:00 p.m. | Two Seasons Inn |
Corner Brook | January 17 | 1:00 p.m. | Glynmill Inn |
St. Anthony | January 21 | 1:00 p.m. | Grenfell Heritage Hotel and Suites |
Gander | January 23 | 12:00 noon | Hotel Gander |
Clarenville | January 24 | 1:00 p.m. | Clarenville Inn |
Marystown | January 25 | 1:00 p.m. | Marystown Hotel and Convention Centre |
St. John’s | January 29 | 1:00 p.m. | Holiday Inn |
2008 01 08
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