SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Jamaica is hiking the minimum wage by 10 percent to stimulate the economy and help poor families.
Workers will earn at least $46 a week starting Monday.
Labor Minister Pearnel Charles said Friday the government wants to raise Jamaicans' standard of living but without hurting employers.
Jamaicans complain that salaries are not keeping pace with rising prices. The nation last increased minimum wages in January by nearly 17 percent.
About 1.3 million of the island's 2.8 million residents are employed, most of them in the services industry. Unemployment is about 10 percent.
______
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Workers will earn at least $46 a week starting Monday.
Labor Minister Pearnel Charles said Friday the government wants to raise Jamaicans' standard of living but without hurting employers.
Jamaicans complain that salaries are not keeping pace with rising prices. The nation last increased minimum wages in January by nearly 17 percent.
About 1.3 million of the island's 2.8 million residents are employed, most of them in the services industry. Unemployment is about 10 percent.
______
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
