In another few days the minimum wage rate for several categories of workers will go up by an average of 22 percent, Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir announced yesterday.
Following consultations that started last year, Nadir said, the new rates will benefit many workers currently earning under $5,000 weekly, and comes into effect from Saturday. Among those who stand to benefit are cashiers, porters, minibus conductors and pump attendants, and other unskilled employees.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the minister said that the minimum wage had not been revised for two years and last year consultations were held with various groups to determine the new rates. He said the national tripartite committee sat down with storeowners, owners of security companies and restaurants and service stations to come up with an appropriate new wage rate.
The new rates are standardized since, according to Nadir, they did not see much difference between a porter who works at a dry good store and a porter at a drug store or hardware store.
The minister said the new wage rate is low but added that it is meant to be the rate that employers should start from.
With the new rates, cashiers at various stores will see an increase from around $3,624 to $5,000 while clerks, porters, checkers and messengers will move from around $3,624 to $4,500 weekly.
Supervisors, shift operators, mechanics, service station attendants and clerks employed at petrol filling stations will move up from around $7,118 to $8,500 and $9,000.
Timber industry
Notable increases went to employees in the timber industry. Sawmill workers and timber grants workers will see their daily wages being increased from around $776 and $846 to $1,500 and $1,200. New wage rates have been announced for workers in the printing trade such as engravers, proof readers, newspaper press attendants and printery assistants, among others.
Mechanical transport em-ployees, aerated water factory employees, workers at hotels, nightclubs and retail shops and liquor stores will also benefit from the new rates.
In addition to the new wage rates, Nadir unveiled the new look of the ministry’s Occupational, Health and Safety officers, who he said will be more visible in workplaces across the country.
He noted that reports of workplace accidents increas-ed significantly in 2007, which he attributed to an effective awareness programme that allowed workers to report incidents they would not have otherwise.
Nadir said the safety officers have new gear that will easily distinguish them on the site, unlike in past years when they looked like customers or employees when visiting worksites. He stated that the officers will be extremely vigilant and the ministry’s strategy includes prosecution.
Additionally, he said mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into the health policies of workplaces is a priority this year. Accord-ing to the minister, this particular component is important.
