The minimum wage level has still to be set

Chamber president Bob Hassell said firms wanted to see a minimum wage rate that was fair to island businesses.

He said that firms could struggle with increased costs if the rate was set to high.

Mr Hassell was speaking to more than 200 members of the business community at the Pomme d'Or Hotel.

A proposed employment law by the Employment and Social Security Committee was drafted earlier this year and could be the first official legislation protecting workers' rights on the island.

It sets out the introduction of a new minimum wage to be paid to all employees above compulsory school age working more than eight hours a week. No rate for the minimum wage has been decided.

It will also introduce employment tribunals for people who think they have been sacked unfairly.