PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Labor Omar Ottley said on Wednesday that he requested advice from the SER to increase the minimum wage, however, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Silver Jacobs requested advice from the same advisory body for a livable wage.
The Minister said that the SER promised to deliver the much-needed advice sometime in February 2022.
Minister of Finance Ardwell Iron said that even though there is a minimum wage companies are not obligated to pay their staff minimum wage instead they are advised to pay their employees a proper wage.
Irion said that workers in the tourism sector are receiving the lowest wages on the island, he said that the government should not be the only ones forcing businesses to pay a better wage but strongly believes that employers should do the honorable thing with their staff.
The Minister of Finance said he held meetings with some companies that are paying their Naf2,400.00 as a starting salary for their workers.
