The minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador has increased to $14.50, and advocates say that increase is badly needed.

The increase is the first of two for the minimum wage this year, it will be going up to $15 an hour in October.

Sara Moriarity of the Workers’ Action Network says people are struggling to make ends meet right now, and while the increase is welcome they feel it should be much higher.

She says that in 2019 the Canadian Centre for Policy alternatives indicated that a livable wage for a single person working full time would have been 18.85 per hour. She believes that figure would be higher today.