With the Caribbean region beginning to rebound from the economic thrashing dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst facing intense competition from foreign employers recruiting the region’s talent, a regional CEO is questioning whether increases in minimum wages across the public and private sectors could help to bring about some measure of balance.

“Caribbean workers are in incredibly high demand right now,” says Joseph Boll, CEO of market-leading digital recruitment firm Caribbean Employment Services Inc. “This is a matter we have been calling attention to over the past few weeks as we’ve noticed more and more employers from power-house nations like the United Kingdom and United States vying to recruit Caribbean workers.”

Boll has previously made the argument that this increased competition does not mean local employers and governing bodies are out of the running. As such he adds, “One has to wonder whether the topic of minimum wages and livable wages could help turn the tide before the Caribbean ends up with a labour market shortage on its hands and even worse brain drain than has been the case up until this point.”

“Even the promise of a higher salary and attractive relocation packages, which most overseas companies are in fact offering, may not be enough to tempt Caribbean workers who would simply prefer to stay home if they had a decent enough wage,” Boll suggests.

Over the past year, several Caribbean nations have either implemented minimum wage increases or promised such talks were underway. Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis and Saba have all implemented or moved to implement some manner of wage hikes since last year. Meanwhile, governing bodies in countries including The Bahamas, Bermuda and Anguilla have pledged that the matter is under serious consideration.

Most recently, Anguilla Premier Ellis Webster remarked that it’s “never too late” for the country to consider implementing a minimum or livable wage that would benefit its residents. Aside from those comments, the hot-button topic of minimum wages has somewhat waned in recent months. However, Boll suggests it could be the ideal time to take up that mantle again.