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There is need for an agreed interpretation of what rate/s should legitimately apply

May 15, 2013 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Kaieteur News of Sunday, May 12, 2013 quotes ‘$200 (US $1) per hour’ as ‘ the new minimum wage- which translates to’$8000 weekly’ and ‘$35,000 monthly’.
First of all it is hoped that the reference to the US Dollar was merely a journalistic initiative, and not part of the pronouncement of a ‘sovereign state’.
More material however, is the headline attention given to monthly paid employees in the configuration of a national minimum wage. The standard understanding has long been that wages are paid on an hourly or daily basis, while salaries are paid monthly. The reported involvement of the Private Sector would suggest that wage earning employees outnumber the monthly paid.
This is more likely true for the innumerable small businesses which proliferate the employment spectrum.
At the (calculated) $200 (US $1) per hour, a forty hour (5 days) week will amount to $8000. Four weeks (20 days) pay will accumulate to $32,000 which when converted to the standard average of a 22 day month – creates a salary of $32,000 plus $3,200= $35,200.
A colleague former Labour Officer called to ask how Watchmen (and Security Guards) who work 12-hour shifts will be treated in the new dispensation, having regard to the current legislation which covers this category of worker.
One also thinks of those employed in the hospitality industry who work almost, if not every day of the week. There is need for an agreed interpretation of what rate/s should legitimately apply. Unfortunately there is minimal organised worker representation in this sector.
E B John

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