Chamber of Commerce displeased with timing of minimum wage implementation; complains of late notice to employers

The Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce is taking issue and the Minister of Labour Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin to task concerning the new National Basic Minimum Wage.
 
The Minimum Wage which has moved from $8.20 per hour to $9 took effect from January 1; and in a notice from the Labour Department on Thursday (January 26) employers were warned that those who fail to pay the new Minimum Wage at the end of this month will be subject to a fine on summary conviction since it is an offence not to abide by the law.
 
The Minister of Labour had ordered that the basic Minimum Wage of $9 per hour for employment in Antigua and Barbuda take effect at the beginning of this year (2023).