BPSA backs minimum wage but proposes delay in implementation

The business community today made a case for Government to delay the April 1 implementation of the minimum wage until next year.

Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Ed Clarke told a news conference this morning that while businesses fully support the national minimum wage, they simply cannot afford it at this time due to the downturn in economic activity resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government has proposed a national minimum wage of $8.50 and a minimum wage for security guards of $9.25 to take effect on April 1.

The current minimum wage in place is $6.25, and only applies to shop assistants.

Read the full story in Friday’s E-paper.