Employers and employees in British Columbia are reminded that changes to the provincial minimum wage, under the Employment Standards Act, come into effect on May 1, 2011.

Effective May 1:

* The general minimum wage increases from $8 per hour to $8.75 per hour.

* The First Job Wage, also known as the "training wage", is repealed and no longer in effect.

* A new minimum wage rate for liquor servers is introduced. This rate applies only to employees whose primary duties are as a server of food or drink or both, and as a regular part of his or her employment serves liquor directly to customers, guests, members or patrons in premises for which a licence to sell liquor has been issued under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. The minimum wage rate for liquor servers will be $8.50 per hour, effective May 1.

* Non-hourly rates paid to camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers and are being adjusted in proportion to the increase in minimum wage.

* Piece rates for hand-harvested crops listed in the employment standards regulation increase by 9.375 per cent.

Additional details on minimum wage changes can be found at: www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb

Contact:

Linda O'Connor

Communications Manager, Labour

Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government

250 387-0172

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect