FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswickers are reminded that the minimum wage will increase by 30 cents to $10.30 per hour at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Employees paid a salary, or by commission, or by the piece, are entitled to receive at least the minimum wage for all hours worked under the control of the employer. Once this latest increase is in effect, an individual working 40 hours per week will earn a minimum of $412 per week. The minimum overtime wage rate will be $15.45 per hour. An individual is entitled to receive this wage for any hours worked after 44 hours in a week.
This marks the first increase to minimum wage since April 1, 2012.
“Increasing the minimum wage provides an immediate stimulus to the economy as most of this money will be immediately converted into higher consumer spending by minimum wage earners,” Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry said. “Our government is committed to helping families and this increase will make life more affordable.”
The government plans to further increase the minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2017 and thereafter by the rate of inflation.
“Raising the minimum wage is known to stimulate employment by encouraging more people to join the workforce and fill existing vacancies,” Landry said. “We are confident this increase strikes the right balance between the needs of employers and those of workers.”
For more information on the minimum wage, paid public holidays, and the Employment Standards Act, contact the Employment Standards Branch at 1-888-452-2687 or online.
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