THE Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) has suggested that the national minimum wage be reclassified into three sections — industrial/commercial, household helpers and security guards.

The union has also proposed that the minimum wage for each category be increased as follows: 15 per cent for industrial/commercial workers; 12 per cent for security guards; and 10 per cent for household helpers.

The union also proposed a two-year cycle for the increases, with an additional 10 per cent to be paid in the second year.

According to UCASE President Vincent Morrison, note must be taken of the inflation spiral of 9.7 per cent in 2013 and 6.4 per cent in 2014, as well as the projected four per cent for 2015.

Morrison also called for a restoration of the Joint Industrial Council (JIC) for security guards, which was dismantled in 1988, and despite several attempts by the trade unions has not been revived since.

According to Morrison, the JIC would provide a better basis for “constructive dialogue/discussion and representation for the employers and the workers alike”.

“We submit therefore that efforts must be taken to re-establish a joint industrial council in the security industry. There are a wide range of issues affecting both the employers and the workers that need to be addressed, and the JIC is the best forum to deal with these issues,” he said.

Earlier this month members of the public and organisations were invited to participate in a series of islandwide consultations, hosted by the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission as it started its review of the national minimum wage and the minimum wage for security guards.

Five one-day regional consultations were scheduled, starting in Portland on Tuesday, August 11 and concluding at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Kingston on Wednesday, September 9.

The consultations resume today at the Almond Tree restaurant in Ocho Rios, starting at 10:00 am.

In January 2014, the national minimum wage was increased from $5,000 to $5,600 for a 40-hour work week, while the minimum wage for industrial security guards moved from $7,320.40 to $8,198.80 per 40-hour work week.

The commission advises the minister of labour and social security on matters relating to national minimum wage and other minimum wages under the Minimum Wage Act. It comprises representatives of the government, trade unions and employers’ group and is mandated to review the rates annually.