JUDGMENT

Introduction

[1] The statutory stipulation of a "minimum wage" represents the lowest level below which wages cannot be allowed to decline. The fixing of a minimum wage by Parliament recognises that wages cannot be left solely to market forces. The underlying philosophy is the recognition that labour must be remunerated reasonably, and that exploitation of labour through the payment of low wages is unacceptable¹.

[2] Hotel workers are recognised as one of the vulnerable groups requiring legislative protection (see Hansard on the second reading of the National Wages Council Consultative Act 2011 of 30 June 2011 at 12.48pm). In concluding that the introduction of a minimum wage was essential, the then Minister of Human Resources explained that the purpose was to alleviate the plight of low income workers so as to enable them to increase their purchasing power in view of the increase in the cost of living, as well as addressing the issue of poverty amongst the working poor.