Representative Joel Franqui Atiles again presented the measure aimed at raising the minimum wage in Puerto Rico, which would take effect from June next year.
Franqui Atiles recalled that last year the House approved its authorship bill for these purposes, and that it had been sent to the Senate for approval. The measure, which went to public hearings and modified after evaluation and analysis, remained in the process of the final days of the session.
The representative explained that House Bill 425 aims to increase the minimum wage from $ 8.50 per hour from July 2021 for all workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, and provides for an automatic increase every three years under the ” Consumer Price Index “. issued by the Plan Board.
“This measure includes the recommendations we have received and the changes included in the previous project we presented. There would be no need to wait for a committee to be set up to evaluate the feasibility of raising the minimum wage in Puerto Rico. Therefore, the statute recommends that the increase be gradual or staggered so as not to harm the operation of medium and small businesses affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. A drastic and squeaky increase could even lead to these companies closing. Franqui Atiles said.
Therefore, the measure suggests that the first hike is $ 8.50 an hour, and could start at $ 9.00 an hour. In the event that a federal minimum wage higher than the state minimum wage is approved, the federal minimum wage will prevail, ”the legislator clarified.
As stated in the bill, more than 300,000 people on the island occupy jobs with a minimum wage of $ 7.25 an hour, which equates to an annual salary of $ 15,080 without the established rebates. “It is necessary and fair to raise the minimum wage to ensure that all Puerto Ricans have a better quality of life. We know that at $ 8.50 or $ 9.00 an hour we are not doing full justice to the workers, but we have to act in that direction. Therefore, this measure provides for an automatic phased increase, ”the representative emphasized.
Unlike Puerto Rico, the minimum wage continues to rise in states like Oregon ($ 9.10), California ($ 9.00), New Jersey ($ 8.25), Washington ($ 9.32), Vermont ($ 8, 73) and many others.
The measure also establishes that the Minister of Economic Development, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources, could exempt a particular industry from the increase in the minimum wage if it is demonstrated that the economic impact is such that it justifies its implementation. exempt.