At the same time, the new minimum wage rate of $8.50 per hour for liquor servers also takes effect. This rate applies to employees who serve liquor directly to customers in premises licensed to sell liquor under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act.

The increases are the first of a three-stage increase that will bring the general minimum wage to $10.25 per hour and the liquor-server wage to $9.00 per hour by May 1, 2012.

Also effective on May 1, the First Job Wage, also known as the "training wage," is repealed and all hourly-paid employees will be entitled to the general minimum wage, regardless of how long they have been in the paid labour force.

Non-hourly rates paid to camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers 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.

Following May 1, a review on piece rates will be undertaken by the Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and the BC Agriculture Council.

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

Contact:

David Greer
Communications Director
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 208-4350