People deserve decent and liveable salary

By Jaevion Nelson

It is refreshing to hear that Jamaica's "economic outlook is improving" and that "growth has picked up, unemployment has declined, [and] inflation has been brought under control". I, like many others, have been a little more hopeful since Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund visited Jamaica about two weeks ago and gave us this assurance. I sincerely hope that we will continue to implement the necessary reform needed to "lay the foundation for inclusive growth, job creation and a more prosperous future for Jamaicans" especially for those who are among the poorest households.

Earlier this week, Paul (not his real name) and I had a chat about his measly weekly salary of $5,600 - the minimum wage stipulated by the Government. Paul is a quasi-security guard in one of the city's more affluent communities. The only words he could find to describe the treatment from his employer were "unreasonable" and "unconscionable". He and his colleagues work more than eight hours per day for only $140 an hour. If you think about it, that's just enough for you to buy a patty for lunch on a day when you want something light to eat; or if you just feel for a patty because you haven't had one in a while. In fact, many of us struggle to spend less than $5,000 on a random/quick stop at the supermarket to pick up a 'few stuff'.

Paul's employer does not offer health insurance, pension or any benefit whatsoever. Taxes are deducted from his salary so he and his co-workers do not even take home a full $5,600 to feed themselves and family for a week. I doubt it is enough to get them by. Nearly a third of his daily wage - $400 to be exact - is the cost of transportation to and from work. Paul would walk to work if it is possible, but he lives too far away. He said it is frustrating to think that he works so hard, for so many hours, for so little money. My friend Charlie's helper works two days per week for less hours and more money than Paul. Is it really so hard for us to pay people an acceptable salary? The situation, Paul says, is nothing but "abusive".

Long hours of work

There are so many people in our country whose situation is akin to Paul's. Long hours of work - more than the stipulated eight hours per day - and a salary that is hardly a liveable wage. Quite often, I wonder how people like Paul survive in Jamaica, especially when they have children or other family to take care of. Would someone like Paul be qualified for welfare? Daniel Dorling (2011) said in his book, Injustice: Why Inequality Persists, that "If you had to choose one word to characterise the nature of human society as it is currently arranged worldwide, there is no better word than injustice'". We have to begin to do more for our people. We have to support them if we want to ensure that they and their families do not have to contemplate whether they should eat dinner tonight or send a child to school tomorrow.

Of course, these persons who earn minimum wage are not, by international standards, living in (extreme?) poverty, since they earn US $12 a day. This is well above the poverty threshold of US$1.25 a day - that's not even enough to just get me to my office on a regular route taxi.

It is commendable that successive governments routinely review the minimum wage and propose amendments every so often. Currently, a minimum-wage earner is entitled to no less than $5,600 for a 40-hour workweek. In 2000, the minimum wage was $1,200, and by 2007, it increased to $3,200. In September 2012, it increased to $5,000, and on January 6, 2014, the $5,600 minimum took effect. It is good that there is a minimum wage; we need a protective floor for labourers. I can imagine how desperate the situation of thousands of persons would be if there was no minimum wage, but I strongly believe we must go further to institute a sort of liveable wage. I note the Jamaica Household Workers Union was not happy with the announcement. I can still remember Paul's face in December when the new minimum wage was announced and he asked me how much it had increased by. I could see the despair sweep across his face.

It is indeed harsh economic times for all of us, but people deserve decent and liveable compensation for their labour. It is inherent for our dignity and survival.

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.