The Government has established a committee to review the minimum wage against the background of an increase in the cost of living facing workers, Labour Minister Claris Charles has disclosed. "Government has a duty towards workers and we are aware that the minimum wage established since 2002 is in need of revision, so we have decided to appoint a committee comprising representatives from the various stakeholders who will discuss and make recommendations to the Ministry," she said. The minimum wage of EC$5 per hour covers the minimum salary payable to employees such as agricultural workers, domestic helpers, store assistants and clerks. Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Abel Newton will head the committee. Categories Charles said one of the issues that the committee will look at is whether there are categories of workers which should be eliminated or included on the list of workers who should receive a minimum wage. "Setting the minimum wage is a work in progress and certain levels of workers which were not on the list before may need to be included so that the minimum amount paid to them will at least provide them with a decent standard of living," she said. Reprinted from jamaica-gleaner.com