-(PM Skerrit)- Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed a new national minimum wage in Dominica will take effect on December 1, 2025, following extensive consultations and a brief postponement. Announced during his Independence Day address and confirmed by local broadcasters, the date is set; however, final rates have yet to be published.
What’s changing — and what’s still pending
The government has confirmed the implementation date, but the specific wage figures have not been disclosed yet. Officials indicate that the Minimum Wage Advisory Board has submitted its report to the Cabinet, and the government is in the process of finalizing the detailed schedule of new rates by occupational category. The exact wage amounts and categories pending publication will determine the changes for each sector when the new minimum wage takes effect.
For context, Dominica’s current national floor—established in 2021—stands at EC$7.50 per hour for most categories, with lower trainee rates, under the Labour Standards (Minimum Wage) framework. Those rates remain in force until the new order is gazetted.
Why it matters
The move is part of a broader effort to enhance income equity and improve worker welfare amid rising living costs. Government-friendly and independent outlets alike have framed the step as a significant milestone for low-income earners and a policy that could boost purchasing power ahead of the Christmas season.
What employers should do now?
- Plan for higher wage costs, effective December 1, 2025, particularly for holiday staffing.
- Review staff pay by job category to align with the new wage brackets once published.
- Update payroll and contracts to reflect new wage minimums when the rates are official. Compliance is required by law.
What workers should know
Until the new rates are published, current legal minimums apply. Once the new order takes effect, the updated minimums will apply broadly; unions emphasize the importance of these protections.
The road ahead
Cabinet is expected to publish the final schedule of rates by occupation or sector before December 1. Sakafete.com will update readers when the order is released. Businesses should prepare for compliance, and workers can expect pay adjustments to take effect with the first pay period, starting with December 1, 2025.
