PM announces minimum wage increase to $260 per week

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Tribune Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has announced an increase in the country’s minimum wage from $210 to $260 per week.

The higher wage will be retroactive in the public service going back to July of this year and for those in the private sector, the change will begin in January 2023. The timeline, Mr Davis said in his national address on Tuesday night, is to give employers time to prepare for the increased expense.

Also from the Prime Minister's national address:

• As Bahamians continue to grapple with the high cost of living compounded by inflation, Mr Davis revealed that 38 new items will be subject to price controls.

According to Mr Davis this means that the government will limit the wholesale and retail markup on items like diapers, and food including chicken, eggs, bread, bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, onions, and potatoes.

These items, he said, are being added for at least a six-month period, at which point the government will review and evaluate the impact on businesses and consumers. The profit margin on price-controlled drugs is also being reduced to provide additional relief to Bahamians, he said.

• As he spoke of his administration’s plans to fortify the country’s borders in a bid to stave off increased migrant crossings, the Prime Minister revealed that The Bahamas opted not to sign a declaration that suggested nations host undocumented people last June.

While 20 countries signed the declaration, including: Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Jamaica, and the United States, Mr Davis said The Bahamas did not sign the agreement, suggesting limited resources was the reasoning behind the decision.

Mr Davis was also adamant that the United Nations needed to “step up” and direct its efforts to do more to stop human trafficking at the source.

• The Prime Minister appealed to Bahamians to come forward with knowledge to prevent or solve crimes, while pointing to gang recruitment in schools and a need to better defend the borders from weapons and drug smuggling.

Mr Davis explained how illegal weapons continue to enter the country and said a formal working arrangement with the American law enforcement agency, ATF—the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—has been reached. The agency also has a presence in The Bahamas.

Comments

John says...

Ask the ATF ( Alcohol, firearms and Tobacco) agency what happened to the hundreds of high powered assault rifles they were supposed to be tracking under ‘operation fast and furious?’ Many of those weapons ended up on the streets of Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and yes, even The Bahamad. Remember that? When high powered assault weapons were found on the streets for the first time in this country. So don’t put high hopes in these US agencies. Corruption abounds, And their missions are covert and multi/directional

Posted 12 October 2022, 12:19 a.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

The expansion of price control is a horrible idea.
No merchant will markup chicken parts excessively, which duty is 10%.
But whole chicken and chicken breasts, which duty is 30%, made a large chicken cost 30 dollars. Could not imagine what a turkey will cost before Christmas. To control the price of chicken, but keep the duty at 30% is hipocrisy.

As for eggs, it was already price controlled, but people cannot tolerate 6 dollars for a carton.

Posted 12 October 2022, 2:21 a.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

Check your broker breasts were reduced to 10 % like all the other parts.

Posted 12 October 2022, 7:42 a.m. Suggest removal

John says...

According to the PM the expansion to include 30 additional items to the breadbasket is only temporary. Six months he says. Then it will be reviewed by government in consultation with affected businesses

Posted 12 October 2022, 9:43 a.m. Suggest removal

Bonefishpete says...

What does Mr Roberts say?

Posted 12 October 2022, 7:11 a.m. Suggest removal

KapunkleUp says...

Government price controls have always been a sure sign that policies are failing.

Posted 12 October 2022, 9:43 a.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

You are so right. It's the lazy way out and very ineffective. Price controls here does not affect the first cost

Posted 12 October 2022, 12:51 p.m. Suggest removal

joeblow says...

... market forces should determine minimum wages, not the government. This is always a great way to increase unemployment while ensuring employees do more work or work longer hours for relatively less pay!

Posted 12 October 2022, 10:02 a.m. Suggest removal

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