The Government through the Minister of Labour has amended the minimum wage of a number of worker categories from filling station attendants to security watchmen and the new rates took effect from June 1, 2012.
The new minimum wage for security guards is now $6,160 up from $4,500 per week. The amendment also changed the title of the position from watchmen to security guards. The Order said too that where immediately before the commencement of the order a security guard was in receipt of a wage at a higher rate than that prescribed by clause 2 of the Order, “The employer shall nevertheless continue to pay to the security guard wages at the higher rate.”
An Order stipulated increases in the minimum wage for workers of hotels, guest houses, discotheques, night clubs and liquor restaurants. The Order said that from June 1, 2012 the wages for head cooks will be $11,200 per week, cook $9,200 per week, head waiters/waitresses $10,500 per week, waiter/waitress $8,200 per week, cleaner $7,800 per week, bell boy or bell girl $7,800 per week, trainee waiter $6,600 per week, head bartender $10,500 per week, bartender $8,700 per week and general worker $7,700 per week.
For workers in a spirit shop, a blender will now earn $7,300 per week while a head bartender will earn $6,600 per week and bartender $6,300 per week. For liquor stores, a blender gets $7,800, assistant blender earns $6,300 and counter clerk $6,300. For taverns, head bartender and bartender both earn $6,300 per week.
For workers in restaurants, cook shops and taverns the head cook will earn $7,000 per week while cook, order boy or order girl, head waiter or waitress, cashier, dish washer, cleaner and general worker will earn $6,300 per week.
For workers described as mechanical transport employees, drivers will get $13,200 per week while conductors will get $6,600 per week.
Employees in groceries will now receive a new minimum wage. Checkers, clerks, messengers, porters and other unskilled employees will earn $6,500 per week while cashiers will earn $7,000 per week.
For those working in hardware stores, cashiers will earn $7,000 per week while clerks, checkers, messengers, porters and other unskilled employees will earn $6,500 per week. For those working in dry goods stores, cashiers will receive $7,000 while drivers, clerks, checkers, messengers, porters and other unskilled persons will earn $6,500 per week.
For those in the aerated water factory category, supervisors and mechanics will receive $9,800 per week, machine attendants, labourers and bottle washers will receive $6,400 per week, crowners will get $7,000 per week, syrup boilers will get $11,400 per week, assistant mixers and all others in the syrup room will get $6,500 per week, sales representatives will get $7,000 per week, delivery persons will get $6,400 per week, checkers $10,500 and sign artists $8,400.
For sawmill workers, labourers will receive $2,000 per day, skilled workers $2,500 per day and band mill operator will receive $3,000 per day. For those working on a timber grant, labourers will receive $2,000 per day while skilled workers will get $2,500 per day and heavy equipment operators will receive between $2,500 and $3,000 per day.
For cinema workers, operators will be paid $11,400 per week, general staff will receive $10,900 per week, cashier, clerical assistant and ticket collector will receive $8,900 per week, guard will receive $8,500 per week and a sweeper or cleaner will receive $6,900 per week.
For those working in drug stores, checkers, clerks, messengers, porters and other unskilled workers will receive $6,500. Cashiers will get $7,000.
Registered student trainees will get $32,000 per month on their first appointment and $35,000 per month after one year.
