A United Progressive Party government will increase the country’s Minimum Wage to $10 per hour if it is elected into office, says UPP Leader Harold Lovell.

The country’s Minimum Wage was increased by 10 percent last year, jumping from $8.20 to $9 an hour.

Lovell says that “poor people are struggling and deserve a wage on which they can live; therefore, the UPP would adopt the wage increase that was put forward by the unions”

If the UPP forms the next, Lovell said the new policy would be undertaken within the first 60 days or perhaps even sooner.

Lovell said residents are unable to afford basic foods, saying that several people feel intimidated when going grocery shopping.  

Lovell also promised that every two years, the National Minimum Wage Committee will review the minimum wage, as prescribed by law.

In addition, he said, “those workers who are employed in industries that focus on an hourly rate of pay will benefit greatly from this proposal”.