Issue: Will minimum-wage hike cause a fallout in low-level jobs?

• Pay rise hardly a burden

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The minimum wage has been raised a whopping $86 more per day, and already there are cries about this huge increase. Some public-sector workers who have to hold strain under the Memorandum of Understanding are livid that they cannot afford to pay such a large sum, because they have not got an increase.

Security guards are also nervous about pending job cuts, as some clients usually cut back on the number of guards whenever there is a rise in the minimum wage.

But are we being practical when we act as if the increase in the minimum wage is such a huge burden?

The reality is that $86 only can get you a one-way bus ticket, and that also depends on if you are in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region.

There are some employers who know that our minimum wage is not sufficient and will always top up the increase. But there are other employers who will not pay more than is recommended.

Other Caribbean islands that are even smaller than some of our parishes have a much higher minimum wage and their economies are doing much better. For example, Barbados' minimum wage is US$100 (J$8,470).

I am, etc.,

WARREN HALL