Should stiffer penalties be imposed on those who refuse to pay the minimum wage?
Author : teriannWhat can you buy with $430?
Let’s see, you could buy a meal at a fast food restaurant. Not much right?
So it makes sense that if the government has increased the minimum wage from $4070 to $4500 then the extra $430 should be easily paid by employers.
After asking around, it was clear that some people felt that the increase was reasonable. However, some people thought that it was a suggestion and not the actual amount that had to be paid. Actually, it is the lowest amount that anyone should be paid after working a 40 hour week.
So with the penalty for employers being increased from $1000 to up to $1,000,000 in fines and possible jail time will this mean less jobs or more pay?
I think if they can pay then they should. Stiffer penalties might deter those who might be tempted to under pay their employees.
What’s your take on the new penalty?
Teri Ann Renee Paisley (Gleaner on-line writer)
Tags: employers, increase, minimum wage, penalty
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9 Responses to “Should stiffer penalties be imposed on those who refuse to pay the minimum wage?”
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I am realising that persons believe only “rich” people have domestic helpers. Young and not so young working persons have helpers as well to assist with children, old relatives while they work at a 9-5 in the private or public sector. Their salary is not increasing yet the cost of everything else is increasing. It therefore means they will have to fire the helper who will be out of a job, as they simply cannot afford it. It behooves me as to who would think of fining them. The rich are usually the ones who pay stingy and should be fined. Such a blanket fine is unrealistic and unfair. Wake up Jamaica,people need to work, go to school and they have their children already, that they cannot leave alone.
Perhaps the government could halt the inflation rate, no increase in food and bills and little more pay, before they think of fine.
I am disappointed in that comment.
I think that the one million dollar fine, charged for persons who pay below the minimum wage is adequate.
Yes they should be fined if they hire some one and are benefiting from their labor and dont want to pay for it!..
Well Nicola it is true everyone is struggling but imagine not being able to have your basic needs met even though you work all week. Those who can afford it should pay their workers the minimum wage.
Nicole, maybe this is why people steal. They cannot afford the price in the shop. Should they be able to take the product and leave what they can? Maybe they leave nothing because that is what they can afford. It is a strange society where a young couple beleive they should be able to support a whole other family. Have you noticed that your peers in developed countries do not have maids? You complain about cost, what about the maid? And how is she suppose to pay her maid to take care of her since she too have children?
“I think if they can pay then they should” Teri Ann, are you suggesting that if they do not think they can, they should break the law? $1000 fine was a joke. If someone breaks the law its theft. If you cannot afford it then don’t buy the service. We need to obey the law.
I totally agree McSage, the law should be followed. Nicola suggests that some employers can not afford to pay the increase because of their own struggles so should not be penalized. However, I think that a lot of the employers who underpay have the ability to pay their workers. For those employers, harsher penalties might discourage them from taking advantage of their workers.
SAD WORLD WE LIVE IN WHEN PEOPLE SO EVIL IN THEIR WAYS. THE GOVERNMENT AND THOSE IN POWER DONT CARE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AFFECTED. BUT WHAT GOES AROUND WILL COME BACK AROUND SOME WAY OR OTHER. THE MINIMUM SHOULD BE INCREASED BY FAR MORE ITS EVIL TO DO OTHERWISE. DEVILISH BEHAVIOR WHEN YOU DONT PAY ENOUGH FOR A PERSON TO BUY FOOD WITH. AS HUMAN BEINGS WE SHOULD ALL THINK ABOUT OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS AND KNOW THIS CANT FEED A PERSON AN PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK. THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THESE LAWS WILL PAY SOMEDAY. EACH PERSON ON A WHOLE JUST HAVE TO LIVE GOOD AND GIVE BACK TO HUMANITY WHEN THEY CAN.
We really like what you write on here. I try and come back to your site every day so keep up the good writing!