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Higher wages coming for B.C.’s lowest paid workers
On June 1, B.C. liquor servers will get a pay boost as the lower liquor server minimum wage is replaced with the general minimum wage of $15.20 an hour.
“I’m proud to put an end to the discriminatory minimum wage for B.C. liquor servers, which disproportionally affects women,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour. “Many of these low-income workers are the most vulnerable in workplaces, including young women as liquor servers and minorities in low-wage jobs. Raising the minimum wage will bring equity and fairness for workers and make a big difference in the lives of thousands of British Columbians.”
This move delivers on a commitment made in 2018 to bring an end to the alternative liquor server minimum wage in B.C., 80% of whom are women, stated a Ministry of Labour media release.
June also marks reaching the goal of a $15.20 an hour minimum wage through regular, measured and predictable increases, which was recommended by the Fair Wages Commission in 2018. At that time, B.C. had one of the lowest minimum wages in the country and was one of the most expensive provinces to live in.
Nearly 300,000 workers will get a much-needed pay boost, with the general minimum wage increasing to $15.20 an hour.
“Many low-income workers have been essential workers during the pandemic, and it’s only fair they receive the scheduled increase coming to them,” Bains said.
The minimum wage rates for live-in camp leaders and resident caretakers are also increasing effective June 1:
* general minimum wage increases to $15.20 an hour from $14.60 an hour;
* liquor server minimum wage of $13.95 an hour is being replaced with the general minimum wage of $15.20 an hour;
* live-in camp leader minimum wage, per day, increases to $121.65 from $116.86; and
* resident caretaker minimum wage, per month, increases to $912.28, plus $36.56 per suite for those who manage nine to 60 residential suites and to $3,107.42 for 61 or more suites.
As outlined in Bains’ mandate letter from Premier John Horgan, future increases to the minimum wage, starting in 2022, will be based on the rate of inflation to provide predictability going forward.
Over 13% of all workers in B.C. earn less than $15 an hour.
e-KNOW file photo
e-KNOW
