Bermudians are set to receive one of the highest hourly wage rates in the world as part of new labour regulations that will come into effect next year. But the rate must first be approved by Parliament.
Labour Minister Jason Hayward said amendments to the Employment Bill 2022, which will be debated at the next sitting of Parliament, would see the statutory hourly wage increase to $16.40 from 1 June 2023.
The wage will apply to casual workers, part-time and temporary employees and some categories of student workers. Volunteers and persons under the age of 16 are not entitled to the new minimum wage. The new minimum wage puts Bermuda on par with Luxembourg, Australia and Germany, who have some of the highest minimum wages in the world.
The minister said that any employee, who believes they are not being paid the minimum wage can file a complaint with the Wage Commission and an inspector will investigate their claims.
Employers found guilty of not paying an employee a minimum wage would be fined at a rate equal to twice the amount of the minimum hourly wage for each day that they failed to follow the law.
