Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
June 30, 2008
Government Meets
Minimum Wage Commitment
The Provincial Government announced today
that it is meeting its commitment to achieve a minimum wage of $10 per
hour by 2010.
�This government is committed to developing a plan to achieve the
increases to minimum wage in a predictable and incremental manner,� said
the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment. �Today, I am pleased to announce that following an extensive
series of province-wide public consultations, our government is meeting
a Blue Print 2007 commitment to move forward and achieve a minimum wage
of $10 by 2010.�
Over the next two years, the Provincial Government will increase the
minimum wage for provincially-regulated workplaces in regular planned
intervals through a schedule of four 50-cent increments. On January 1,
2009, the minimum wage will rise by 50 cents to $8.50 per hour, to $9
per hour on July 1, 2009, to $9.50 per hour on January 1, 2010, and will
reach $10 per hour on July 1, 2010.
In January, the Provincial Government led a series of consultations
across the province allowing stakeholders and the public an opportunity
to provide meaningful input into the planning of future increases to the
minimum wage. The implementation plan reflects a balanced approach that
achieves the Provincial Government�s commitment while recognizing the
need for employers to have time to prepare.
�Our government is strongly committed to working in partnership with
business and labour in meeting the needs of people and growing the
province,� said Minister Skinner. �The increase in the minimum wage is
one part of an overall balanced approach of improving earned income
levels for low wage workers while supporting tax measures that improve
the competitiveness of business.�
- 30 -
Media contact:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
2008 06 30
12:40 p.m.
|