Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, starts to raise its minimum wage standard as of the beginning of 2003, according to sources with the local labor and social security authority.
All enterprises in downtown Guangzhou should raise the minimum pay to their employees from previous 450 yuan per month (US$54.5) to 510 yuan per month (US$61.8).
Enterprises in suburban districts of Guangzhou may choose other minimum salary levels in line with the provincial government's policy, which stands between 510 yuan per month (US$61.8) and 280 yuan per month (US$34) over seven grades.
The minimum wage should not include subsidies for extra work and for work in an adverse environment as well as necessary insurance, according to government officials.
China began to exercise a minimum wage system in 1993. Since then, all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have issued and implemented the lowest standards for wages in their own areas.
(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2003)
