Deputy Sam Mézec’s proposition was defeated by 38 votes to ten on Wednesday.
However, Social Security Minister Susie Pinel is now required to investigate what impact a ‘significant rise’ in the minimum wage would have on the Island’s economy after the Assembly voted 25–23 in favour of a second clause in Deputy Mézec’s proposition.
He had called for the minimum wage to rise to the same level as the planned UK living wage – the hourly minimum rate set higher than the minimum wage which is intended to let people enjoy a basic but socially acceptable standard of living.
Deputy Mézec said that increasing the minimum wage would help to resolve income inequality in Jersey.
Jersey’s minimum wage will increase to £6.97 an hour on 1 April, as originally planned.
