The recent increase in minimum wage took effect as of March 1, 2024 affecting a number of workers across the country.
For some, the revised wages will result in an increase in their salaries.
Among those that stand to benefit from the new wages include those working in the hotel and tourism industry, industrial workers, security officers, office workers, those working within the agricultural sector, shop assistants and call centre workers.
The new wages were gazette in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Statutory Rules and Orders under Section 10(5) of the Wages Councils Act, Chapter 217 on February 29, 2024.
Under the amended piece of legislation, the revised wages are as follows:
For call centre workers:
Back office associate level 1 – $7.50 per hour; Back office associate level 2 – $8.24 per hour; Cleaner (full time) – $50.00 per day; Cleaner (part-time) – $7.00 per hour; Driver – $60.00 per day; Contract centre service expert (full-time) – $7.00 per hour; Chat associate level 1 – $8.25 per hour; Chat associate level 2 – $9.20 per hour; Customer accounts executive – $8.25 per hour; Contract centre service expert (full-time) – $9.20 per hour; Customer service agent – $9.20 per hour; Voice associate 1 – $8.25 per hour; voice associate 2 – $9.20 per hour and Watchman – $57.60 per day.
Domestic workers are also expected to see their wages increase as follows: general helper (44 hours per week) – $1,000 per month or $50.00 per day; adult caregiver – $50.00 per day; cook in tuck shop – $50.00 per day or $7.00 per hour or part thereof; gardener – $50.00 per day and worker employed on a day-to-day basis – $7.00 per hour or part thereof.
Wages for persons working in the agricultural sector: driver – $60.00 per day; agricultural worker – $50.00 per day or $8.35 per hour; watchman – $57.60 per day and workers in hazardous conditions – $57.60 per day or $9.60 per hour.
Wages for the hotel and tourism sector – cleaner full time – $50.00 per day; cleaner (part-time) – $7.00 per hour; driver – $60.00 per day; front desk/receptionist/secretary – $1,368 per month; accounts clerk/office clerk – $1,400.00 per month; guest services – $1,400.00 per month; room attendants – $1,275.00 per month; houseman/bellboy – $1,200.00 per month; housekeeper – $1,368.00 per month; food and beverage supervisor – $1,600.00 per month; cook – $1,368.00 per month; dishwasher/kitchen helper – $1,200.00 per month; chef – $2,000 per month; launderer – $50.00 per day or $1,200.00 per month; gardener – $50.00 per day or $1,200.00 per month; maintenance – $1,400.00 per month; waiter/waitress – $1,200.00 per month; bartenders (full time) – $1,600.00 per month; all trainees in all categories (up to 1 year) – $800.00 per month; general helper – $1,250.00 per month; purchasing clerk – $1,380.00 per month and beach attendant – $1,250.00 per month.
The new legislation makes provisions for industrial workers stating that they ought to be paid for every hour or part thereof as follows: in excess of 8 hours (regular work) – time and a half; on a public holiday – double time and on Sundays – double time.
Security guards are expected to enjoy an increase also, now earning a minimum of $1,200.00 per month or $7.00 per hour or part thereof and security guards employed on a ‘day-to-day’ basis will now earn $52.20 per day, or $7.00 per hour or part thereof.
Wages for office workers have also gone up to include clerks – $1,250.00 per month; drivers – $60.00 per day; search clerk – $1,386.00 per month; office clerk – $1250.00 per month; accounts clerk – $1,368.00 per month; receptionist/typist – 1,250.00 per month; office attendant – $1,200.00 per month – secretary – $1,368.00 per month; camera man – $1,400.00 per month; videographer – $1,560.00 per month; reporter (full-time) $1,800.00 per month, watchman – $57.60 per day and cleaners (full-time) – $50.00 per day and part-time – $7.00 per hour.
Shop assistants: cashier – $1,275.00 per month; sales clerk – $1,200.00 per month; check out attendant, office attendant, packer and cleaner (full time) – $50.00 per day or $1,200.00 per month; part-time cleaner (3 hours or less) – $7.00 per hour; porter – $50.00 per day of $1,200.00 per month; watchman – $57.60 per day; office clerk (44 hours/week) – $1,250.00 per month; worker in restaurants or bars are as follows: cook – $1,225.00 per month; waiter/waitress – $1,200.00 per month; kitchen assistant – $50.00 per day or $1,200 per month; bartender – $1,300.00 per month; cleaner (full time) $50.00 per day; cleaner (part-time) – $7.00 per hour and driver $60.00 per day.