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By Jared Gottselig

Sask. minimum wage formula ‘adequate, sufficient and predictable’; Don Morgan

Jun 30, 2017 | 2:00 PM

Minimum wage workers can expect to see a couple extra dollars on their paycheques when the wage amount increases to $10.96 later on this year.

According to Don Morgan, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, the rate of annual minimum wage increases is based off the average increase in the consumer price index (average cost of goods and services for consumers), and the average hourly wage in the province.

Notice of minimum wage adjustments are given three months in advance, so that employers and employees have time to plan their affairs ahead of time.

“We think [the formula] is adequate, sufficient and predictable,” Morgan said. “It’s consistent with what revenues would increase…so we know that we strike a balance when we do it.

“We [also] think that government has gone a long ways to make sure we’ve provided some low income supports.”

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While some argue that $10.96 isn’t a livable wage, the president of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, Warren Williams, suggests small gradual increases on a consistent basis are still more viable than one drastic increase.

“Let’s take it to the extreme, [and say] minimum wage is $20 an hour now; what we would have is more unemployed people,” Williams said. “If the price of goods and services go up, then you’re really not gaining anything.”

Instead, Williams suggests that tax incentives for lower-income workers would likely be more efficient to increase their buying power.

The minimum wage increase takes effect on October 1.

 

jared.gottselig@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jgottsel

by Jared Gottselig

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