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Implementation methodology of the Wages Commission – Bernews

Pabio November 22, 2024

The Wages Commission announced it was “advancing its efforts to establish a living wage by implementing the internationally recognized Anker Living Wage methodology.”

A government spokesperson said: “As part of this effort, the Commission has initiated a request for proposal (RFP) process to identify a qualified research partner to conduct the comprehensive analysis required by the Anker approach.

What is the Anker Living Wage Approach?

“The Anker Living Wage methodology is a globally respected framework used to determine a fair and sustainable wage for workers, ensuring they can meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter and other essentials, with a small margin for unforeseen events. This methodology focuses on the normative standards set by international guidelines, such as those of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ensuring that the salary vital is both locally relevant and reflects a decent standard of living.

Why this approach is best for Bermuda

“The Anker Living Wage methodology was selected for its transparency, practicality and adaptability to local conditions. It uses localized data to ensure living wages are specific to Bermuda’s unique cost structures. By separating and analyzing the costs of food, housing, and other basic needs, this method provides a thorough and fair basis for determining a living wage. Additionally, it takes into account local utilities and deductions, ensuring that the final salary promotes a decent quality of life without imposing excessive burdens on employers.

Timeline of key activities

“Depends on the publication of the request for proposals and the evolution of the Commission’s understanding of the data and research work.

Call for tenders and selection of suppliers (November 2024 – March 2025)

The Wages Commission is currently engaged in the tender process and aims to select a research partner in early 2025.

Research on the Anker method (April 2025 – December 2025)

Phase 1: Cost of food analysis
Phase 2: Housing cost analysis
Phase 3: Analysis of the cost of other essential needs
Phase 4: Margin for unforeseen events and final living wage calculations

Community engagement (January 2026 – March 2026)

During this phase, the Wages Commission will actively engage with the public, sharing research learnings and gathering feedback.

Final Recommendations (June 2026)

Call to action: participation in the household income and expenditure survey

“The success of Phase 3 of the Anker methodology, which focuses on analyzing the cost of basic needs, depends on data from the Department of Statistics’ ongoing Household Income and Expenditure Survey. This data is crucial to accurately determining the true cost of living in Bermuda. The Wages Commission strongly encourages all persons selected to participate in the survey to cooperate and engage in the Department of Statistics’ data collection. Accurate spending data is essential to help the Commission understand and recommend a true living wage for Bermuda.

Contact details:

For more information about the Wages Commission and progress in Living Wage research, please contact: