As per reports, New Jersey’s minimum wage rose to USD 15.13 on Monday (01 January), completing the last stepped increase that lawmakers planned when they approved the increase in early 2019.

Reports indicate that Governor Phil Murphy in December suggested that lawmakers could take the minimum wage yet higher, perhaps to USD 18 or USD 20 per hour, noting the increase to USD 15 per hour did not result in economic shock and arguing inflation and a staffing crunch had already pushed most workers’ wages above the new minimum.