Minimum Wage Increases Effective Oct. 1

Labour Minister Ron Russell has reaffirmed an earlier announcement of an increase in Nova Scotia's minimum wage. The change, announced in January, will take effect Oct. 1, 1999.

"The minimum wage will increase by 10 cents, to $5.60 an hour, on Oct. 1," Mr. Russell said. "This is the first of three stages that will, when completed, see the minimum wage increased by 30 cents an hour."

Ten-cent increases will follow on Oct. 1, 2000, and Oct. 1, 2001.

The minimum wage for inexperienced workers will increase to $5.15 an hour on Oct. 1, 1999, from the current $5.05 an hour. That rate will also increase 10 cents an hour each on Oct. 1, 2000, and Oct. 1, 2001.

"These changes affect about 21,000 Nova Scotian workers who are contributing to the economy but are doing so at minimum wage," Mr. Russell said. "The increases to the province's minimum wage will help protect lower-income earners."

The increases keep pace with economic trends and bring Nova Scotia more in line with other provinces.