A case for minimum-wage earners

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE MOST vulnerable in our society are barely surviving on minimum wages they earn weekly. People who earn minimum wage are often in jobs that are very time-consuming and leave little to no room for other forms of earning extra cash. Minimum-wage earners are also at great loss as their earnings leave little to no room for saving and fiscally investing in their education or general improvement of their lives. This is quite unfortunate as it creates an even bigger class divide in our country. Minimum-wage earners are left in a place where it is virtually impossible to escape the grasp of poverty, and consequently, social mobility.

The new wave of economic conversation surrounding Jamaica’s emerging economy has been centred on the reduction of poverty. Recent data have shown that poverty is on the decline due to opportunities provided by the BPO sector. However, if as a country we are serious about poverty reduction, the Government should consider raising the minimum wage to twice what now obtains. The then Opposition and current Government campaigned on doubling minimum wage, and it’s important that we revisit this thought.

The Government should also think about improving social services, such as cheaper housing, and even more tax incentives similar to a reduction in income tax, which has been most appreciated by low-income earners. This certainly will provide some sort of equity for minimum-wage earners. If we are serious about development on a whole, we can no longer look to economic metrics alone to say we are ‘developing’, but also social metrics, where people are empowered and provided room for growth.

KIMBERLY ROACH