The general minimum wage in Alberta will increase by a buck on Thursday and the province says the move up is the first step in its plan to reach a $15 per hour wage by 2018.

The new rates take effect on October 1, 2015 as follows:

An hourly minimum wage of $11.20 for most employees

An hourly minimum wage of $10.70 for employees serving liquor as part of their regular job (note the liquor server rate will be eliminated in 2016)

A weekly minimum wage of $446 for many salespersons, including land agents and certain professionals

A monthly minimum wage of $2,127 for domestic employees

“Increasing minimum wages will help low-income earners take care of their families, and will reduce staff turnover, lower hiring costs, and improve fairness. Minimum wage earners spend more of their income, boosting the economy and creating jobs,” said Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour.

Weekly minimum wages for some salespersons, land agents and other professionals will also go up from $406 to $446 and the monthly minimum wage for domestic employees who live in the employer’s residence will increase from $1,937 to $2,127.

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