Minimum wages for the commercial, industrial and heavy-construction sectors will be going up three per cent this year, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard announced today.
“We have a history of working collaboratively with industry and helping ensure Manitoba companies can attract and retain skilled workers,” said Howard. “We think this is the responsible way to meet the needs of employees while giving employers the stable labour costs they need as they plan their day-to-day operations.”
The Construction Industry Wages Consultation Panel came to a consensus on the changes and based on its recommendation, wages for the industrial, commercial and institutional sector will increase three per cent June 1 and again on Jan. 1, 2013. Wages in the heavy construction sector will see two consecutive annual increases of three per cent, with the first raise taking effect on May 1.
The Construction Industry Wages Consultation Panel is a joint industry-labour group covering rural and urban construction. The Construction Industry Wages Act divides the construction industry into the heavy sector and the industrial, commercial and institutional sector. Wage rates differ depending on the type of work performed and encourage participation in the apprenticeship training system to ensure a skilled workforce, the minister said.
More information on wage rates can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.
