The minimum wage in Saskatchewan will increase to $10.00 per hour on December 1, 2012, an increase from the current minimum wage of $9.50 per hour. The move follows a commitment by the Government of Saskatchewan to review the hourly minimum wage on a year-to-year basis.
The change also results in a corresponding increase to the minimum call-out pay to $30.00.
"The contributions of Saskatchewan's working population are essential to ongoing economic growth and prosperity in the province," Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan comments.
"This increase in minimum wage, together with the significant tax reductions our government has provided to low income earners, means that Saskatchewan will have one of the highest rates of take-home pay in Canada for minimum wage earners."
The increase is part of an overall review of labour relations and workplace safety legislation currently underway. Morgan said the government is still actively considering indexing minimum wage as part of that review, but wanted to announce the 50 cent per hour increase now to give employers ample time to prepare for the December 1 implementation date.
"Since taking office, our government has increased minimum wage from $7.95 to $10.00 an hour," Morgan adds.
"That's an increase of nearly 26 per cent in five years - well ahead of the rate of inflation."
Public consultations on the issue indicated significant support for an increase to the minimum wage. The Minister's Advisory Committee on labour legislation review overwhelmingly supported an increase.
