First published in an Extraordinary Government Gazette, the document proposes a draft monthly minimum wage of XCD 1126 or XCD 6.50 an hour.

President of the NCA, Dr Thecla Fitz-Lewis, says the organisation is concerned that the increased minimum wage may have negative spillover effects on consumers.

“When I saw the draft through the Gazette my first concern was small businesses, medium sized businesses or large businesses taking advantage of consumers and trying to use that minimum wage increase to increase the price of goods and services,” she said.

This draft wage excludes other remuneration owed to an employee from overtime, a share of service charge, a commission, a bonus or profit sharing.

Dr Fitz-Lewis says the NCA will monitor the prices of consumer goods nationally which would adversely affect consumers. 

“I want to send a strong message out there that the National Consumers Association will be monitoring and looking to see if there are any increases in prices of the goods and services as a result. What we want businesses to do is to start looking at strategies for controlling their cost,” the NCA President said.

 The draft wage is open to objections, comments and inquiries from members of the public by June 6th, 2024.