Statement From The Bustamantee Industrial Trade Union, September 01, 2025:
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| Kavan Gayle, President of the BITU |
The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), on behalf of the working people of Jamaica, welcomes and commends the announcement by Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness that, if returned to office for a third term, his government will double the national minimum wage from $16,000 to $32,000 on a phased basis.
“This is a bold and historic commitment. For decades, the call for wages that allow workers not just to survive, but to live with dignity, has been at the centre of the trade union movement. By moving to establish a liveable wage system, the Prime Minister has given clear recognition to the fundamental truth that the labour of our people is the backbone of national development”.
According to the BITU President a livable wage system means more than a figure on a pay-slip. It means that workers can provide proper meals for their families, send their children to school, access health care, and participate in community and national life without being trapped in the cycle of poverty. It is about restoring dignity to work, narrowing inequality, and ensuring that those who carry the heaviest loads in our economy are not left behind.
“This is the first administration in Jamaica’s history to commit to such a system. The BITU applauds this step and sees it as a watershed moment in advancing fairness and justice in the world of work. We stand ready to engage constructively in the design and implementation of the phased increases and the broader framework that will give real meaning to the promise of a livable wage”.
On behalf of the working class, the BITU calls on all stakeholders—employers, policymakers, and civil society—to support this initiative, as it is not only about wages, but about the social and economic transformation of Jamaica.
Editor's Note
Jamaica is fast reaching a state where there will be no such thing as a minimum wage. If we upgrade the skills of our people, grow the economy, and concentrate on giving high-quality service and our technical skills to the world, then unemployment will continue to fall, and there will be no need for cheap labour.
We cannot build a great country by using cheap labour. We must be lawyers, doctors, high-tech farmers, engineers, aircraft technicians, computer experts, and the list goes on. Cheap labour will have to be a thing of the past. Having people working as contract workers for decades without benefits has to stop. Let's build our economy and say "Down with cheap labour." Up with productivity, excellent customer service, and efficiency.
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So how much pension will increase by so the former teacher nurse police can pay caregiver 32k per week? How much NIS going up by ? This govt always disrespect elderly jamaicans.
ReplyDeleteFormer teacher? Current teacher!
DeleteFood for thought.!!
ReplyDeleteSo the JLP moves the minimum wage from $ 7000 to now $ 16000 and is now planning to move it up to $ 32000 thousand dollars. Wow! This will be one of the most exciting times to be working, even our young men can start to work now and turn away from the gangs and Live a life with dignity and purpose. So Jamaican can now chose who they really want for their PM now. The Polls will speak on Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. I pray for a clean and safe election as we chose which party we need to run this our beloved country.
ReplyDelete