President of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) Wayne Chen says he expects that the national minimum wage will be increased by about $500.

This would push the national minimum wage to $5,000 a week and $7,155 for security guards.

Chen says he recognises that a $500 increase would not be enough, but noted that the demand for any wage adjustment has to be balanced against the current financial constraints.

He also says Jamaica’s current situation demands that the social safety net be improved to help those at the lower end of the scale:

The JEF boss was speaking this morning on Independent Talk on Power 106 FM.

The Minimum Wage Advisory Commission meets this week to review the proposals for a new national minimum wage and the minimum wage for industrial security guards.

Chairman of the Commission, Silvera Castro, says the public support received so far has been good.

The national minimum wage was last increased in February 2011.