🔁 Labour Minister rejects minimum wage report, seeks revision

Labour Minister Dwayne Seymour has dismissed the findings of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee's report from last year, calling for a new examination based on different rates for various sectors. Despite the committee's recommendation for an increase to $8.75 per hour, Seymour has only approved a raise to $7 per hour for tourism workers starting in July 2025. The delay in implementing the report's suggestions, which was submitted in October 2023 but only made public in March this year, has been heavily criticized.📉

The current minimum wage in Cayman is CI$6 per hour, a rate that falls below the absolute poverty line due to inflation over the past five years. The proposed increase to CI$8.75 would have benefited an estimated 10,457 workers. However, Seymour's suggestion that some sectors may not see any wage increase means that many workers will have to wait at least another two years for potential salary increases. The decision to only raise the minimum wage for tourism workers by one dollar indicates that any future increases may not significantly impact workers' earnings.📚

The International Labour Organization, which assisted the MWAC, noted that Cayman's current minimum wage is less than 28% of the average wage in the economy, a significantly low percentage by regional and international standards. The report also highlighted that most businesses could sustain an increase to $10 per hour, although this rate was not recommended due to inflation concerns. Seymour has stated that a new committee will be formed to reevaluate the minimum wage, with some members from the previous committee being asked to serve again.🌐