Guernsey minimum wage rise motion 'still not enough'

Making the minimum wage in Guernsey a set percentage of the average salary still would not guarantee everybody has enough to live on, a politician said.

Deputy Mike Hadley has seconded a motion which would ensure the wage was 45% of average earnings by 2020.

However, Deputy Hadley added that, even if people could not live on it alone, employers would at least make a greater contribution to their income.

Deputies are due to vote on increasing minimum hourly pay next week.

Deputy Hadley has seconded Deputy Matt Fallaize's motion on changing the minimum wage to average earnings.

Deputy Fallaize said the Commerce and Employment Department's preferred policy seemed to be making changes by using the retail price index (RPI).

The timeline he has set would see the minimum wage be 40% of average earnings by 2014, and 45% by 2020.

Deputies are due to vote on increasing minimum hourly pay to £6.15 for adults and £4.36 for young people.