Minister of Labour and Social Security, Karl Samuda says, the impact of Covid-19 on the country, has played a role, in the amount of increase applied to the national minimum wage.

Mr. Samuda, revealed in an emergency press conference on Tuesday, that cabinet approved a 28.5 percent increase, as of April 1.

The minimum wage will move from $7,000 to $9000, for a forty hour work week.

Noting the economic hardships experienced by Jamaicans, Mr. Samuda said, he hoped for a higher increase, but the country is still recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.