By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 9th March 2023)-Minister of Employment and Labour Marsha Henderson has publicly informed about an upcoming review for an increase of the minimum wage and that “the country would have more on that in a short time.” She made the disclosure during her presentation at the sitting of National Assembly held on Tuesday 7th March 2023, while giving updates on that ministry.
Notably, the minimum wage is currently $380 per week. The Labour Minister revealed that the Policy and Labour Relations Unit is working on the overall strategic plan, noting the minimum wage policy is one two significant policies that are being considered to bring before the cabinet.
“The last administration would have put together a minimum wage advisory committee in 2018. They would have submitted a report to the government in 2019. Now, what is interesting just to put things into context, the last time the minimum wage increased was in 2014… under a Labour-led Administration and I can report that the next time, notwithstanding a report being made available in 2019, the next time that the minimum would be increased would be under this labour-led administration,” Henderson remarked.
The Labour Minister added: “We have the report, and the report did make some recommendations as to what needed to be done-some suggestions. We met as a Cabinet and we have put together the committee that is going to embark on the work that is coming out of that same report that was made available since 2019.
We’ve had two elections since the-2020 and 2022 but I am happy to report that we are serious about labour and labour relations as a government, and the country would have more on that in a short time.” Henderson said labour and labour-related matter are not being ignored. “As it relates to labour and labour related matters Madame Speaker, I want to indicate that these are not being ignored by this government.
In fact the ministry just concluded some strategic meetings in terms of firming up our strategic mandate as it relates to labour and employment.” A four day work week which came out of COVID is the second policy of the Policy and Labour Relations Unit up for discussions. Meanwhile, on another money payment topic, the Labour Minister-without calling the name of the particular employer, addressed an issue that was handled by her ministry on the topic of non-payment of salaries having received complaints.
She said “a number of complaints are coming to the Department of Labour and in particular without referring to anyone, a group of employeessay in excess of fifty (50) personshave come in from one employer and we launched an investigation; in fact there is some mediation between the employer and employees…brought the matter to cabinet and came up with a resolution…” As understood, those affected workers were expected to receive payment this week. The minister – ADVERTISEMENT -said “this week those employees would receive payments through the Treasury Department with assistance from Labour Department.
The workers listening know who 17 facilitate the proceedings. The coaches were involved in an inspiring interactive session with Sports journalist, Mr Shawn Seabrookes, when they were asked to share their response to the question “Why do you coach?” Their impromptu responses were absolutely touching and reconfirmed why they were the chosen ones for the meritorious awards.
Their responses will be shared on social media within the next few days. A total of twenty (20) female coaches were recognized and celebrated. Nineteen (19) of the awardees were selected by their respective Member Federations or Sports Associations for their outstanding coaching stewardship.
The twentieth award went to Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd, a former National Coach, for her decades of outstanding coaching services in Netball. Each coach was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation and presented with a special token commemorating their coaching accomplishments.
The Ceremony came to a befitting close with the Awardees, Presenters and Members of the Women in Sport Commission locked arms in solidarity while singing the hymn “Bind us together Lord”, amplifying the call for inclusion and acknowledging that “The things that bind us together are far greater than our differences”. SKNOC President Bridgewater congratulated the coaches, thanked all the presenters for coming forward to support and inspire with their considered remarks, and to encourage the SKNOC Women in Sport Commission (WSC) to continue their relentless efforts to encourage everyone to # ChooseToChallenge, to # StopTheBias and to # EmbraceEquity.
Happy International Women’s Day 2023. they are and they are going to receive cheques for their payment…” Front Banner Photo: This image used for illustration purpose only shows Eastern Caribbean dollars ($EC) in a wallet (credit: shutterstock. com)
