Scores of security guards across Barbados expressed fears that next month’s two per cent minimum wage increase could backfire, warning that employers may cut back their working hours and wipe out whatever small benefit the pay rise would bring.
At the same time, Minister of Labour Colin Jordan is urging employers not to undermine the hourly rate system and force the government to scrap it and introduce a weekly rate.
Security guards at various locations reached out to Barbados TODAY to express concerns about a significant reduction in hours following the last increase six months ago.
A spokesman for workers speaking on the condition of anonymity said that many were working below 40 hours per week.
“Some people sometimes get 30 hours a week,” he said. “There are a lot of unstable hours and this is a burning issue. Workers are complaining that they carry up the minimum wage but the hours are being cut.
“Going forward, we feel the hours will be reduced further if the hours per work are not fixed.”
The January increase will raise the national minimum wage from $10.50 to $10.71 per hour, a 21-cent increase, while the sectoral minimum wage for security guards will rise from $11.43 to $11.66 per hour, a 23-cent increase. Six months ago, the national minimum wage moved from $8.50 to $10.50 per hour, and the security guard rate increased from $9.25 to $11.43.
The workers said that while grateful, they thought the June increase of $11.43 should have been a dollar more, adding that a 23-cent increase next month was still not enough.
“A lot of workers out there are struggling,” the spokesman said. “To be honest with you, we’re looking for more…. We thought at $11.43 it would have gone up to about $12.43. So people still have to work long hours (overtime) to make ends meet; that wage does not cover it. With deductions — insurance and other things — it’s just not enough. You’re always struggling….”
He said that ideally, workers deserved $15 per hour at a flat rate. “Fifteen dollars an hour for standard hours, not including overtime.”
At a press conference on Thursday, Minister Jordan addressed these concerns head on. “Many workers in Barbados are not at the minimum rate. I’ll go as far as to say that maybe most workers in Barbados are not earning at the minimum rate.”
Regarding the fear of further reduced hours, he said: “I understand that there’s been fear expressed from some workers that the increase may cause employers to reduce either the number of hours of work in a day or the number of working days in a week… people have to be able to eat…. I hope we don’t get to a situation where we have, rather than to give an hourly rate, we have to give a weekly rate.”
He continued: “We have not structured how we do this based on weekly rates. We have set it as rates per hour… if that worker is consistently at 22 and 24 hours per week, then it will make a mockery of the hourly rate because then the person will still not be able to keep body and soul together.
“I just appeal to employers to recognise the value of their workers and to make sure that they’re not in a position where they are going to work, but still not able to keep body and soul together.”
Jordan also explained that while the government cannot currently prevent employers from adjusting hours, inspections will increase.
“At this point, we cannot insist that an employer does not adjust hours…. The government and the prime minister as minister of public service have agreed to increase the number of labour officers. In the not too distant future, we’ll be doing much more in terms of our inspections to make sure that employing organisations are following the minimum wage order…. Whatever the order says at the point in time, in terms of rate, we’re going to be making sure that those rates are followed.”
The security guards’ spokesman also highlighted concerns about working conditions and called for the relevant authorities to conduct an investigation.
“I would like them to investigate the security industry in Barbados. A lot of exploitation has gone on…. The level at which they operate does not meet international standards. Some people don’t get an hour for lunch. Some work standing on their feet [for extended hours] for five or six days a week. Some locations have no washrooms, no drinking water. Workers have to fight for extra hours, and sometimes they are put on suspension instead of getting paid.”
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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