THE first in a series of four regional consultations on the National Minimum Wage starts today in Montego Bay, the labour ministry has announced.

Four months ahead of the planned January 2006 implementation of the new increase, the ministry is moving to secure an even wider body of views in town hall-type meetings.

Last adjusted by 20 per cent on January 31, the minimum wage now stands at $2,400 for a 40-hour week. For security guards, it moved 12.5 per cent, from $3,600 per week.

The regional hearings will be hosted by the National Minimum Wage Commission, which is chaired currently by attorney Norma Linton.

Yesterday, the ministry said letters had been sent to a wide range of civic groups and interested parties, inviting their participation in the forums.

Advertisements have also been running in the press urging everyone to “feel free just to turn up at any of the four regional sittings of the commission and voice their opinions.”

To be held at the Civic Centre in the city’s Sam Sharpe Square, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Mobay session will accommodate submissions from residents of Westmoreland, Hanover, St James and Trelawny.

The other three sessions are scheduled for will be held in October in:

. St Mary to incorporate St Ann and Portland;

. Mandeville to cover Manchester, St Elizabeth and Clarendon; and

. Kingston at the Jamaica Conference Centre to cover Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine and St Thomas.

National Minimum Wage (1994-2005)

July 4, 1994 $500

July 1, 1996 $800

Aug 2, 1999 $1,200

Jan 7, 2002 $1,800

Nov 1, 2003 $2,000

Jan 31, 2005 $2,400

Security Guards (1994-2005)

July 4, 1994 $800

Dec 4, 1995 $1,200

June 1, 1997 $1,620

July 5, 1999 $2,020

Jan 7, 2002 $2,828

Nov 1, 2003 $3,200

Jan 31, 2005 $3,600