JERSEY businesses are being survey about the minimum wage amid major political discussions about the affect rises to the base rate have had on the Island’s economy.
The Chamber of Commerce has launched an anonymous survey seeking evidence about the impact of successive increases on employers, which it plans to feed into the Employment Forum’s extended consultation on the minimum wage.
Economic Development Minister Gerald Voisin sparked fierce debate over the minimum wage after stating that it was “turbocharging inflation” in a letter to the JEP. Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham subsequently said that the government had no intention of removing the minimum wage and publicly reprimanded Deputy Voisin for failing to follow the ministerial message.
In an email to its members, the Chamber of Commerce has now invited businesses to provide details as to whether the recent uplifts in the minimum wage “affects pay structures, employment, prices, investment and opportunities for workers”.
It read: “Chamber supports fair pay and is not advocating a predetermined outcome. The findings will help shape our discussions with the Employment Forum, Ministers, elected representatives and members.”
“Economic Development Minister Gerald Voisin has recently suggested that the current statutory approach may be contributing to higher prices, reduced employment or working hours, pressure on margins and weaker competitiveness,” the Chamber added. “He has called for discussion about whether Jersey should retain a statutory minimum wage, referring to countries where wage floors are commonly agreed through collective bargaining.
“Others argue that a statutory wage floor provides clear and enforceable protection, particularly for employees with less bargaining power. These differing views have prompted wider ministerial and public debate.”
In 2021, the States backed a policy of moving the minimum wage towards two-thirds of median earnings, with the previous Council of Ministers subsequently setting the April 2026 rate against 2024 median earnings as part of a move towards a living wage.
During this week’s States sitting, Deputy Voisin was questioned about his earlier comments and stated that the abolition of the minimum wage is “not something that is being, or has been considered”
He added: “I think everybody in this Assembly wants to do is to see people have a better standard of living. The question is are we going to do that just by putting up the minimum wage?”
When asked whether he would consider different minimum wage rates for different industries, Deputy Voisin refused to rule such a move out but said that he would wait for recommendations from the Jersey Employment Forum.
When asked by Deputy Karen Wilson whether he is opposed to a statutory minimum wage, the minister responded: “No, I’m absolutely not opposed to a minimum wage, not at all.”
