MEDIA RELEASE: August 2023
Following the implementation of the hourly minimum wage on June 1, 2023, the vast majority of Bermuda residents express their general support, although a strong minority are hesitant to support if it leads to a rise in the prices of goods and services.
BERMUDA: On June 1, 2023, the Government of Bermuda implemented an hourly minimum wage on the Island. The minimum wage was set at $16.40, meaning that all employers would need to pay any hourly workers at least that wage.
To better understand reactions to the implementation of a minimum hourly wage, we asked Bermuda residents about their level of support for this new legislation. Overall, nine in ten (91%) residents support the implementation, with six in ten (62%) in complete support. In fact, fewer than ten percent of residents oppose this new legislation. Across demographics, results are largely consistent.
Subsequently, we asked residents about the extent of their support for the minimum hourly wage if it results in an increase in the prices of goods and services. In this case, only six in ten (60%) indicate they support the legislation (down 31 points from general support). This may signal that while residents largely support the general idea that hourly workers should receive a minimum hourly wage in principle, some are not supportive if it impacts their own financial condition. In total, 62 percent of residents changed their answer to some degree once the prices of goods and services were added into the equation. Across demographics, Bermudians are more likely to somewhat oppose the minimum wage increase compared to non-Bermudians.
These results reflect opinions of 400 adult Bermuda residents (18 years or age or older), conducted from June 7th and June 15th, 2023. The questions are not commissioned by a third party and were collected independently by Narrative Research Bermuda. A sample size of 400 is a well-recognised market research industry standard and provides a representative sampling of Islanders. The survey was conduced by phone. A sample size of 400 surveys collected by telephone allows for a statistical margin of error to within ± 4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.
For more information, please contact:
Graham Redford, Managing Partner, Narrative Research Bermuda, 278 8882 or graham@narrativeresearch.bm
Margaret Chapman, COO and Partner, Narrative Research, (902) 492-3834 or mchapman@narrativeresearch.bm