Halkitis: Minimum Wage Planned for Private Sector

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The public service is not the only job sector that may soon see a rise in minimum wage. Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis insists the Davis administration also intends for the increase to trickle into the private sector.

This as he also fired back at the opposition’s criticism of the 2022/2023 budget.

Jasmin Brown reports.

Increasing minimum wage in the public sector was just one of the measures Prime Minister Philip Davis outlined in Wednesday’s budget communication.

During the weekly Office of the Prime Minister presser Halkitis revealing the increase will not just be limited to the public sector.

Helping residents cope with the increasing the cost of living has been labelled as a key priority Davis administration.

In its blueprint for change, the Progressive Liberal Party said it intended to raise minimum wage from $210 to $250.

In parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Davis announced other measures intended to reduce the impact of high inflation, including pay raises for most public officers, and a permanent increase in social assistance by 50 percent in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.

But the Opposition has been critical with Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard going as far as insisting budget fails to address cost of living concern.