17 Aug 2004

New Caledonia plans to raise minimum wage

1:44 pm on 17 August 2004

New Caledonia's ruling Future Together Party says it plans to increase the minimum monthly wage from the current 1,000 US dollars to 12-hundred dollars within three years.

It has also announced its intention to support small and medium local businesses with tax holidays and investment incentives and more generally, to promote, whenever possible, local employees.

The party which is against independence from France became New Caledonia's dominant force after the provincial elections in May.

New Caledonia's President, Marie-Noëlle Thémereau, is scheduled to deliver a speech today, outlining her government's policies.

She was the Future Together's top candidate in the polls.