Livable Wage vs Minimum Wage

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – What does the cost of peanuts have to do with the living wage? Researchers at the University of The Bahamas have taken a closer look at how much it really costs to make a living in The Bahamas. And some results were surprising.

Policy fellow at the University of The Bahamas’ Government and Public Policy Institute, Lesvie Archer, collaborated on living wage research in the Bahamas. The living wage differs from the minimum wage, which is mandated by law. What researchers found was that the cost of living varied between New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Looking at the cost of three well-balanced meals and snacks, Archer and her team found that on New Providence, $10 per day per person is achievable. However, to replicate that same meal on Grand Bahama would cost $13 BSD per person per day.

The Davis administration has promised to increase minimum wage from $210 to $250, and introduce a livable wage.