NFLD -- Minimum wage earners will see a wage increase following the January 6th announcement that the province will increase minimum wage in four 25 cent increments over two years.

The minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador was last increased to $6.00 per hour in 2002. These new increases will see minimum wage rise from that level to:

• $6.25 effective June 1, 2005
• $6.50 effective January 1, 2006; to
• $6.75 effective June 1, 2006; and to
• $7.00 effective January 1, 2007.

"Last fall, the Labour Relations Agency embarked on an extensive review of the minimum wage that included the thoughts and opinions of people from all over Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Burke. "More than 150 submissions were received by phone, mail and e-mail from a broad spectrum, including employers, individuals, labour organizations and community advocates. This is the greatest amount of feedback ever received on this issue and it has been extremely useful in helping government reach a fair and reasonable balance when considering an increase in the minimum wage."

According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, approximately 8.5 per cent of paid employees in Newfoundland and Labrador (16,100 people) received minimum wage in 2003.

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