Jersey’s Hospitality Association has commented on Deputy Geoff Southern’s proposal to increase the minimum wage by 34p an hour next April 2021. The proposed increase would come at a time when many businesses in the hospitality sector are struggling due to the pandemic and would be receiving no financial support from the Government by the time these measures would come in.
Simon Soar, Chief Executive Officer of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said: “The Employment Forum takes into account the economic and employment conditions, RPI and how wages are rising across all sectors when it carries out is assessment of whether the minimum wage should rise and, if so, by how much.
“This is the fully accountable process that takes the politics out of the issue, working within the same time frame set out by Deputy Southern to produce a recommended level for the Social Security Minister to take to the States.
“With many businesses struggling to meet their overheads and keep their staff in employment, we can see no reason for the States to change its long-held practice of listening to and following the recommendation of the Employment Forum.
“We cannot support Deputy Southern’s proposal to raise the level by 34p an hour next April and would expect States members to wait for the correct process to be followed.”
Deputy Geoff Southern’s proposal can be read here.
Photo by Michael Longmire
