The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) supports a National Minimum Wage but is questioning whether the time is right for implementation.
“The DLP has always fought and will continue to fight to protect the working class within our society. But we are asking the Government: Is the timing right?” the party said in a statement late on Monday.
“While we agree with a wage increase we would hate to see more hard-working, tax-paying citizens lose their jobs in this harsh economic environment.”
The media release said the state does not control the private sector and cannot say with any surety that this initiative wouldn’t have adverse implications for employment numbers if implemented on April 1.
The DLP has some question:
Will more jobs be lost?
Who will re-employ these people?
Will the adversely affected people qualify for unemployment benefits?
Does NIS [National Insurance Scheme] have the money to pay them?
“The timing of seeming to increase the minimum wage is poor and is being advanced when most of the population is unemployed.”
The DLP said Government should be focusing on assisting vulnerable citizens, creating jobs and feeding the nation. The statement queried whether assistance was being offered to hotel workers “who have not worked for almost a year or those who have worked but who are now on lay off again but do not qualify for unemployment benefits this time around?”
“We are hearing about the overwhelming cries for help at the Welfare Department. People are in serious need and the Government should put this at the top of their priority.”
Additionally, the release said the School Meals programme should be functioning around the clock to feed children whose parents and guardians are unable to do so. “Care packages will last less than a week in the majority of families.”
By now, Government should be well aware of the high reliance of the vulnerable on the School Meals service and taxpayers money was budgeted for school meals within the Ministry of Education’s budget. (PR)
