Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Mahendra Reddy has proposed that the National Minimum Wage baseline rate should be $2.32.
During his presentation at a stakeholder consultation this morning, Dr Reddy said the survey they conducted with the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, revealed that a large proportion of workers are earning low wages.
Dr Reddy said this is why they need a National Minimum Wage rate in order for the formal and informal sectors to be paying above the national wage rate.
According to Dr. Reddy if the proposed $2.32 is accepted as the National Minimum Wage, government should increase it to $2.50 next year.
Meanwhile, two other consultations are expected to be conducted before they submit to cabinet a proposed National Minimum Wage in November this year.
Story by: Filipe Naikaso