The organization representing all workers in the province is unhappy with the latest wage increase for the lowest-paid workers.

The minimum wage goes up by 40 cents to $16 an hour on April 1st, but the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour says that won’t cut it.

Jessica McCormick says while the government is acknowledging the need for change, it failed to adequately address the challenges faced by workers struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.

About 17,000 workers earn the minimum wage, but she says not all are young people. She says many have dependents but are trapped in that $ 15-an-hour zone because of rising costs.

She suggests that the minimum wage should be between $24 and $27 an hour, depending on location.

“That $16 still falls well short of what people need to cover the basic costs,” says McCormick.