Sen. Joe S. San Agustin is renewing his push for Bill 4-38, legislation he says would strengthen financial stability for working families by tying Guam’s minimum wage to increases in the island’s Consumer Price Index. The measure, introduced in January, has remained stalled in committee for nearly a year despite what the senator described as an urgent need to protect wage earners from rising living costs.
San Agustin, who authored Guam’s last $1 minimum wage increase in 2019, said linking wage adjustments to inflation is the most fair and predictable approach. “Tying the wage increases into the CPI makes the most sense,” he said. “If the CPI goes up, wages increase. Should it plateau, there is no movement.” He added that the bill needs a public hearing to ensure lawmakers can “make responsible decisions” about the island’s wage structure.
The senator said the proposal aims to balance economic realities for both workers and businesses, offering stability without sudden jumps in labor costs. Still, he argued the need for action is clear as Guam families continue to feel the strain of inflation. “Every hardworking man and woman deserves the opportunity to earn a wage that reflects their effort and the rising cost of living,” San Agustin said. “Enhancing the minimum wage is not just an economic decision — it’s a commitment to our island’s families and their future.”
San Agustin said he looks forward to renewed discussion on the measure, calling it part of a broader effort to support families while promoting sustainable economic growth. He emphasized that despite efforts to support the business sector in recent years, prices have not fallen. “The time to support our hard workers has come,” he said.