The following is being distributed at the request of the Labour Relations Agency:

Increases to Minimum Wage Benefit Residents
While Providing Certainty for Employers

Effective October 1, 2014, the provincial minimum wage will increase by 25 cents to $10.25 per hour. This will be followed by another 25 cent increase on October 1, 2015. These increases continue the province’s progressive approach with respect to minimum wage to benefit many lower income earners in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“This government recognizes the needs of workers must be weighed against the ability of employers to pay higher wages,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency. “These increases will provide additional income to many residents while the effective dates provide employers with the opportunity to factor the new wage rates into their business planning.”

By October 1, 2015, the minimum wage rate in the province will have increased by 75 per cent in just 10 years. Currently, only two jurisdictions in Canada have a minimum wage that is higher than $10.50 (Nunavut and the Yukon) and these increases will keep Newfoundland and Labrador’s rate among the highest in the country.

“Increasing the minimum wage is just one way the Provincial Government is assisting low income earners,” said Minister King. “The province invests significantly in programs and initiatives that are aimed at getting residents of the province involved in the workforce whether it is through education, skills training or upgrading opportunities.”

The minimum overtime wage rate will continue to be fixed at 1.5 times the minimum wage, rounded to the nearest cent. The province expects to conduct a further review of the minimum wage in 2015.

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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca 

2013 11 01                                     4:05 p.m.