Minimum wage rate P.14/2010 comment

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 17 February 2010 regarding: Minimum wage rate P.14/2010 comment.

Decision Reference: MD-S-2010-0006
Decision Summary Title :	DS - P.14 Comment		Date of Decision Summary:	12 February 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	WR - P.14 Comment		Date of Written Report:	12 February 2010
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Comment on P.14/2010 – Minimum Wage Rate: Revised hourly rate from 1st April 2010, and the Amendment to that Proposition.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the comment to P.14/2010 and decided that it should be presented to the States Assembly.
Reason(s) for Decision: P.14/2010 requests the Minister for Social Security to set a minimum wage of £6.28 per hour and to present a report to the States explaining the reasons for setting a rate that is higher than the rate recommended by the Employment Forum. The proposal sets a new minimum wage based on 40.5% of weekly average earnings, instead of 40% of weekly average earnings, as proposed by the Forum. The Amendment to P.14 proposes that the Minister should set the minimum wage rate at £6.36 based on 41% of average weekly earnings. The Employment Forum has a statutory duty, under the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003, to monitor the economic impact of the minimum wage and to make recommendations to the Social Security Minister regarding any future increases. The Forum reviewed the minimum wage and the Minister believes that the Forum’s recommended rate of £6.20 is balanced and appropriate.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Policy Principal to request Greffier of the States to publish Comment on P.14/2010
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):