B-002: National Minimum Wage Act, 1679

[Speaker Rejo]

National Minimum Wage Act, 1679

A Bill to establish a National Minimum Wage.

BE IT ENACTED by the duly elected Parliament of the Republic of Alduria assembled, -

Article 1. Citation, Applicability.

1. This Act shall be officially cited as the National Minimum Wage Act, 1679.
   
2. This Act shall apply to all the Republic of Alduria.
   

Article 2. National Minimum Wage.

1. The National Minimum Wage per hour (NMW) for all hours-based contracted workers in the Republic of Alduria shall be set at €8 per hour.
   
2. The NMW will rise to €11 an hour 5 years after the original NMW comes into action.
   
3. The NMW will rise to €14 an hour 10 years after the original NMW comes into action.
   
4. After the NMW is raised to €14 an hour it shall be frozen for 3 years.
   
5. After the 3 year freeze to the NMW, it shall them be adjusted due to inflation.
   

Article 3. Calculations.

1. For the purposes of determining the NMW, the government shall calculate inflation and earnings for purposes of the minimum wage for year *n*, as the change between 1st day of year *n-2* and the last day of year *n-1*, and reported every other year.
   
2. The NMW will then be rounded up to the nearest €0.05.
   

Article 4.Apprenticeships, Internships, and Volunteers.

1. The NMW shall apply to all workers, with the exception of people on official Apprenticeship or Internship schemes.
   
2. Apprentices shall be paid 75% of the NMW.
   
3. Interns shall be paid 75% of the NMW.
   
4. Volunteers for Non-Profit Organisations are exempt from the NMW.
   

Article 5. Enforcement and Punishment.

If not followed, companies will be punished by:

1. First Time Offence: Will pay all money owed to worker(s) that would take it up to minimum wage +10% extra of amounted owed to worker(s) as compensation;
   
2. Second Time Offence: Will pay all money owed to worker(s) that would take it up to minimum wage +15% compensation to worker(s) as compensation and a fine of €1,000 for small business or €10,000 for large business;
   
3. Third Time Offence: Will pay all money owed to worker(s) that would take it up to minimum wage +15% compensation to worker(s) as compensation and a fine of €1,000 for small business or €10,000 for large business. Will pay all money owed to worker(s) that would take it up to minimum wage +17% compensation to worker(s) as compensation and a fine of €5,000 for small business or €20,000 for large business.
   
4. Fourth+ Time Offence: Will pay all money owed to worker(s) that would take it up to minimum wage +15% compensation to worker(s) as compensation and a fine of €1,000 for small business or €10,000 for large business. Will pay all money owed to worker(s) that would take it up to minimum wage +17% compensation to worker(s) as compensation and a fine of €20,000 for small business or €100,000 for large business. This will double after every extra offence they commit for this crime. They can also be sentenced to community service or jail time (decided upon on a case by case basis)
   

Article 5.Severability, Constitutional Passage.

1. This act shall not become law until 6 months after it has received proper constitutional approval.
   
2. The provisions of this act are severable. If any part of this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
   

 

Parliament will now come to order to consider this bill, presented by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. 

The Chair now recognizes The Prime Minister.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

This Government recognizes the need to build consensus. As part of our coalition agreement, we have taken a constructive step forward to ensure that ever Aldurian receives fair pay for their labours while also ensuring that businesses have time to adjust to the changes in the minimum wage. To my colleagues who are concerned that the minimum wage will hurt the economy, I respectfully assert to you that this will actually help our economy. The more working class families have to spend the more they will spend in our economy. While the overhead costs for our small businesses will increase slightly, the increased amount of money for families to spend will go back into the cash register of these businesses. I truly believe that this will be a major net positive for businesses--particularly small businesses. If I didn't believe this, I would never support this bill.

I'm pleased that we've been able to reach a consensus on how to move forward to ensure fair pay for hard work while also ensuring that we raise the minimum wage in a responsible way. I'm certain that the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister will have more to say on this bill which he took the lead in crafting--but for my part I commend this bill to the House and encourage my colleagues to support it.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Chair now opens the floor for general debate. All members may offer debate or amendments at this time. Debate shall last for no less than 48 hours.

[Marco Zimmer]

Madame Speaker,

Firstly, I am extremely delighted that the Prime Minister is agreeing that this bill will benefit everyone. It is only fair that the workers get their share after the work they do, this bill will do that.

It is important that people are rewarded for their extremely hard work to keep our country moving and growing. So I would also like to thank everyone in our wonderful nation and this bill is will hopefully help make your lives better.

To many people are struggling and there is an income inequality issue that we will tackle, and that is why this bill is equal for all areas of this country. Of course a lot more needs to be done to end the disparity between different areas but this bill will help families right across our nation.

As the Prime Minister did mention earlier, this will also improve life for small businesses. Although more money is going out, there will be a significant increase in money going back to the small businesses.

I put everyone in this house to support this bill and help make the country a better place, one that works for all.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for debate has now expired. The question is: Shall Parliament pass the pending bill? Voting shall last for no less than 48 hours

DIVISION: CLEAR THE LOBBIES!

[Alfonso Velez]

AYE

Level 2 Whip

7 L&D Deputies abstain from the vote and 3 vote against, all from the purist Libertarian wing.

[Marco Zimmer]

3 Line Whip

Aye

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for voting has expired. On this vote, the result is as follows:

AYE: 150

L&D: 90
DSP: 60


NAY: 3

L&D: 3

ABSTAIN: 99

ANA: 54
EDP: 21
IND: 17
L&D: 7

So the Ayes have it and the bill is passed and now goes to the President for his consideration. Unlock!