Security guards to get $8 an hour

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Parent Category: Sept 2011

Category: Week ending Sept 10th, 2011

Published on Wednesday, 14 September 2011 08:52

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The minimum wages paid to domestic workers and security guards in Grenada are being increased. The announcement was made by Labour Minister, Honorable Glynis Roberts on the heels of a report from a Wage Advisory Committee that included representatives from the Grenada Trades’ Union Council (GTUC) and the Grenada Employers’ Federation.

On the recommendation of the committee, the monthly pay for domestic workers nationwide will move to $750. The minimum wage for a security guard will increase from $4 an hour to $8 an hour.

“Recognising that some security companies will have to engage their clients to discuss the effect of the new rates on their existing contracts, we have decided to allow a grace period of three months once gazetted before the new rates are effective,’’ Minister Roberts told security guards and others at a meeting at the Trade Centre Annex. The meeting was specially convened to discuss the minimum wage issue.

“I know you are anxious to get the increases,’’ the female government minister told the gathering.

“They are coming. But, at the same time, in fairness to your employers, we must give them some time to make the adjustments”, she said. The Wage Advisory Committee was established in May 2008 to investigate employment conditions for workers in trade and industry, and to make recommendations to the Ministry of Labour.

The committee submitted a report last year and recommended minimum wage increases for 14 categories of workers.

Minister Roberts said additional lobbying was undertaken by members of the labour movement on behalf of domestic workers and security guards. Labour representatives felt the proposed new rates for domestic workers and security guards were still too low, given the responsibilities and risks faced by the workers in carrying out their duties, the Minister disclosed.

“The matter was taken back to Cabinet and Cabinet agreed to increase the minimum wage for domestic workers and security guards,’’ she said. “We believe that, as workers, you have a duty to provide a fair day’s work to your employers and a right to receive a fair day’s pay for that work,’’ she added.

The Labour Minister recommitted to the pledge of the government, which was elected to office in July 2008, to improving the living standard of the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. “Since coming into office we have taken a number of actions to fulfill that promise,’’ said Minister Roberts, who pointed to government initiatives such as the Free School Books’ Programme; and the commencement of low-income housing construction sponsored by the Government of China.

“Today, we are continuing on the path of fulfilling that promise of improving the standard of living of our people,’’ Minister Roberts said.   “This government will continue to ensure more benefits are provided for the workers of this country”, she remarked.

Meanwhile, activities continue in Grenada in observance of Labour Month. They have included a church service held on Sunday and presided over by Rev. Osbert James. Among the attendees at the service at the St. George’s Baptist Church were Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, Labour Minister Roberts, Agriculture Minister Denis Lett, GTUC President, Madonna Harford, members of the diplomatic corps and senior public servants.

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