Holness Pledges to Double Minimum Wage if JLP Retains Power

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine — Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has promised that if re-elected, his administration will double the national minimum wage to $32,000 per 40-hour work week.

Holness made the announcement while addressing thousands of supporters at a mass rally in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Sunday night.

He explained that in the first budget under a returned JLP government, the minimum wage would increase from $16,000 to $18,500, with gradual raises to follow until it reaches the promised $32,000 target.

According to Holness, the phased plan is necessary to maintain economic stability, while ensuring more Jamaicans are motivated to enter the formal workforce.

“The minimum wage must be livable, and under this government, we will get it there,” Holness declared, as the crowd erupted in cheers.

With unemployment now at a historic 3.3 percent, Holness argued that a higher minimum wage will make jobs more attractive and sustainable, while avoiding new tax burdens on citizens.

The Spanish Town rally marks one of the JLP’s largest gatherings in the final stretch before the September 3 General Election, following a weekend of back-to-back campaign events across the island.