Minimum wage going up in Newfoundland and Labrador

Wage going up in increments to $7 per hour by 2007

Newfoundland and Labrador is raising its minimum wage by $1, spreading out the increase in 25 cent increments over a two-year period.

The current minimum wage in the province is $6 per hour. That wage will increase: by 25 cents to $6.25 effective June 1, 2005; to $6.50 effective Jan. 1, 2006; to $6.75 effective June 1, 2006; and to $7 effective Jan. 1, 2007.

According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, about 8.5 per cent of paid employees in Newfoundland and Labrador, or 16,100 people, received minimum wage in 2003.

The minimum wage was last increased in November 2002.

“Last fall, the Labour Relations Agency embarked on an extensive review of the minimum wage that included the thoughts and opinions of people from all over Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Joan Burke, the province’s Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. “More than 150 submissions were received by phone, mail and e-mail from a broad spectrum, including employers, individuals, labour organizations and community advocates. This is the greatest amount of feedback ever received on this issue and it has been extremely useful in helping government reach a fair and reasonable balance when considering an increase in the minimum wage.”

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