Have Your Say on Minimum Wage

The Minimum Wage Committee is asking businesses and people to take part in a consultation what the minimum wage should be for next year.

Starship Enterprise Captain Lawrie Hooper has asked the MWC to make recommendations on any changes to the rate of the minimum wage to come into effect in April 2023.

Unfortunately, it isn’t simply a case of saying we want more money and them obliging, they have to consider all sorts of stuff including the wider social and economic implications of any minimum wage increase.

The committee will also consider what impact an increase could have on employment, inflation, competitiveness of business and the cost of industry and public authorities on the island.

It also has to factor in Tynwald’s commitment to bring the minimum wage inline with the living wage. To remain on course for that this year, the minimum wage would need to increase to about £11 an hour.

Mr Hooper said: ‘A key policy action outlined in the Island Plan is to transition the Island’s minimum wage rates in line with the Living Wage by 2025, in order to address income disparities in the Island and ensure it remains a prosperous place for our residents to call home.

‘I recognise that the current climate, with increasing costs of living and inflation, has imposed financial challenges for both individuals and businesses. The purpose of this independent review by the Minimum Wage Committee will be to ensure that any decision on minimum wage rates for 2023 is fully informed by the Manx community, and takes into account the variety of the challenges faced across our economy.’

And because its 2022, a website such as consult.im would make too much sense to use, so instead you can contact Minimum Wage Committee by email to employment.dfe@gov.im or post them to The Secretary to the Minimum Wage Committee, Department for Enterprise, Nivison House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, IM1 5ET by end of play on November 28.