Advocacy & Policy

Saskatchewan: Human Resources

Reminder – Saskatchewan’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $10.00 on December 1, 2012

November 29, 2012

Issue:

Effective December 1, 2012, Saskatchewan’s hourly minimum wage will jump 50 cents from $9.50 to $10.00. 

The increase also results in a corresponding increase to the minimum call-out pay to $30.00.  Minimum call-out pay is three times the value of the current minimum wage.  Employees get minimum call-out pay even if there is no work for them. If an employee does work, he or she must receive either minimum call-out pay or the employee’s regular wages for the time worked, whichever is greater.

Background:

The Saskatchewan government had not indicated any plan to introduce an increase to the minimum wage in 2012.  In the government press release announcing the minimum wage increase, the government indicates its justification for increasing the minimum wage was that it was widely recommended during the public consultation on labour legislation. 

RCC voiced our concerns that two months notice of this change was not enough for  Saskatchewan retailers heading into the busiest sales season for the sector.  RCC has consistently requested a six month notice period so retailers can adequately budget for any wage increases that result from a minimum wage increase.

Click here to view the Government of Saskatchewan’s press release and background material.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact: Lanny McInnes, Director, Manitoba/Saskatchewan at:  lmcinnes@retailcouncil.org or (204) 253-1654.