THE States are being asked to agree a minimum wage for Island workers of £5.

8 an hour – £203.

0 for a 40-hour week – to apply from next April.

An estimated 2,000 workers, mainly in horticulture, tourism and retail, currently earn less than the proposed minimum.

The proposition lodged this week by the Employment and Social Security Committee also recommends an hourly trainee rate of £3.

2 for a maximum period of a year, for employees of any age in training, in a new job with a new employer.

The committee have also decided to apply a youth rate of £3.

2 – £152.

0 for 40 hours of work – for 16- 17-year-olds.

They say this is necessary because of the current shortage of jobs for young people and because many Island employers already pay their younger workers lower wages.

The proposition also suggests that £55.

5 per week should be offset against the minimum for workers who get their accommodation with the job, and £74.

0 for those who are provided with both accommodation and meals.