The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A trade union leader yesterday reiterated calls for the Government to increase the minimum wage, urging it to “move quickly’ in that regard.

“We urge the Government to move quickly on this. We offer to assist in any way that we can,” said Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president.

“We are of the view that the minimum wage should be mandatory in this country. We firmly believe that the minimum wage should be no less than $300 or $350 per week.

“We are of the view that $150 per week simply cannot support a worker, or a family for that matter. It’s unreasonable to believe that considering the financial obligations that the average person has in this country.”

Mr Ferguson added: “We really want the Government to move urgently on this matter. We do not want people to end up in situations that are not acceptable in the modern day Bahamas.

“We understand that some may not be too keen on the idea, but we believe that it is a necessary step at this time.

The minimum wage for the public sector is currently $210 per week, and $150 per week or $4 per hour for private sector employees.

The proposed minimum wage increase has sparked mixed reaction in the private sector. Rupert Roberts, Super Value’s owner, has stated that he would be in favour of raising the weekly rate by 33 per cent to $200, and would adjust salaries at the lower end of the supermarket chain’s pay scale accordingly.