Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that a new national minimum wage for Dominica will take effect on December 1, 2025, marking a significant move in the government’s ongoing effort to improve income equity and worker welfare across the island. The declaration, made during his Independence Day address at the Windsor Park Stadium, forms part of a wider strategy to reward hard work, strengthen public service, and ensure that all workers receive fair compensation for their labour.
The Advisory Committee on Minimum Wage, which reviewed wage levels earlier this year, had recommended adjustments to reflect inflationary pressures and the rising cost of living. The Cabinet’s endorsement and Skerrit’s confirmation now provide a clear timeline for implementation.
Labour officials have described the move as a “timely and necessary measure” to ensure wage parity between the public sector and private sector.
Employers’ groups, while urging a balanced approach to protect small enterprises, largely welcomed the advance notice ahead of the December rollout.
The 2025 revision follows the 2021 adjustment, which increased minimum pay rates across sectors such as hospitality, retail, agriculture, and domestic work. Economic observers note that the new increase aligns with Dominica’s broader development goals under the National Resilience Development Strategy (NRDS) 2030, which emphasises inclusive growth and human development.
The announcement has sparked discussion among trade unions and private-sector representatives, who are expected to engage in follow-up consultations to ensure that the policy is both equitable and sustainable. For many Dominican workers, however, the Prime Minister’s assurance of a December implementation offers long-awaited relief ahead of the Christmas season, a clear signal that wage justice remains at the forefront of national policy.
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