Executive Council approved an uplift to the minimum wage at their meeting of 24 March 2026.
This change will take effect from 01 July 2026, and will raise the minimum wage as follows:
- for persons aged 18 yrs and over: from £4.50 to £4.85 per hour
- for persons aged 16 or 17 yrs: from £3.55 to £3.83 per hour
The approval of this increase supports the objective of establishing a more ambitious minimum wage which benefits workers while providing adequate time for businesses to plan and adapt.
In determining the increase, consideration was given to current cost of living pressures on both employees and employers. It was noted that a balance must be struck; the Minimum Wage Policy recognises there are limits to what businesses can absorb in a single year, while also acknowledging the need to continue raising minimum income levels on St Helena to help encourage residents to remain in employment on-island.
This year’s increase follows consultations with employers, employees, and other relevant stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce.
Since its inception in 2013, the minimum wage has risen:
- for persons aged 18 yrs and over: from £2.30 to £4.85
- for persons aged 16 or 17 yrs: from £1.45 to £3.83
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