REPORTS

Minimum wage standards in Guangdong (2003)



(Translated by China Labor Watch.)


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On Shenzhen City’s announcement of minimum wage levels for 2003



            According to ¡°Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Minimum Wage Regulations,¡± and as approved by the municipal government, the 2003 minimum wage levels have been announced as follows:



1.      The special economic zone’s minimum wage is 3.59 renminbi (rmb) an hour, equivalent to a 600 rmb a month.

2.      In the zone’s outer districts of Baoan and Longgang the minimum wage is set at 2.78 rmb an hour, equivalent to 465 rmb a month.

The 2003 year regulations period of execution is from May 1st, 2003 to April 30th, 2004.



Shenzhen City Department of Labor

April 18th, 2003



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Minimum wage standards in other cities in GuangZhou



From January 2003, Guangzhou city adjusted the minimum wage from 450rmb/month to 510 rmb/month.

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Minimum wage standards in other cities in Dongguan


Dongguan City, People’s Government offices

Letter #115 (2003)



On Dongguan City’s promulgation of minimum wage levels for 2003 and informing various town governments and relevant units directly subordinate to the municipal government:



            In order to fall in line with the ¡°Guangdong Province minimum wage regulations¡± [Guangdong provincial government #100 (1994)] the city has decided to set minimum wage at 450 rmb per person per month.



The above standard will be in effect from January 1st, 2003. In the future,this will continue to serve as the standard minimum wage, until a new
standard is announced.





May 5th, 2003



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Zhongshan City, minimum wage standards



To be in line with the Guangdong Provincial Government’s promulgation of ¡°On adjusting the minimum wage in Guangdong Province,¡± and to reflect thecondition of Zhongshan’s social and economic development, the municipal government has carried out the following adjustments to the minimum wage:

1.      Zhongshan City¡¯s minimum wage standard will no longer be divided by town and country into two different classifications. The two will be united according to the provincial government¡¯s regulations; therefore the minimum wage will be set at 450 rmb/month.

The adjusted minimum wage will become effective February 1st, 2003.

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According to ¡°Advice on problems with the implementation of The PRC’s labor law,¡± relevant stipulations on the minimum wage are as follows:



Minimum wage does not include overtime pay, or housing and food subsidies that the employing unit may cover with cash. Furthermore, it does not include social security, fringe benefits, or any subsidies that may be relevant when working under special conditions such as the swing or night shift, working in extreme temperatures or with toxic substances, or working underground.

            According to ¡°Advice on problems with the implementation of The PRC’ s labor law, [Distributed by the Labor Dept. #309 (1995)] in instances when the contractually agreed upon work quota or responsibilities have not been completed, it is not legally permissible for the employing unit to pay the laborer less than the stipulated minimum wage.

            According to ¡°Advice on problems with the implementation of The PRC’s labor law,¡± in times when a worker has become ill, or has suffered a non work related injury, the employer must provide sick pay and cover the cost of recovery within the stipulated period of treatment. Sick pay can be lower than the local minimum wage; however it may not go below 80% of the minimum wage.