Policymakers in Laos are studying a proposal to raise the country’s minimum wage, as inflation and rising living costs disproportionately affect low-income earners, lao times report.
The current minimum wage, which is 1.1 million kip ($97) per month, will be raised to 1.5 million kip ($134), effective since the last hike in mid-2018, according to the Lao Federation of Trade Unions’ proposal.
If implemented legally, the pay rise would take effect in March of this year.
Phonesane Vilaymeng, vice-president of the federation, said that the cost of living continued to rise, and that rising market prices had a direct impact on low-paid employees in the country.
rising cost of living
“The high cost of living affects thousands of workers across the country in four sectors: agriculture, industry, services and construction,” Vilaymeng noted.
“We propose to raise the minimum wage from 1,100,000 kip per month to 1,500,000 kip per month. We are now seeking official confirmation after government approval,” he added.
Vilaymeng said the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry are in final discussions on the potential increase and are expected to announce their decision in due course.
The Lao government last raised the minimum wage from 900,000 kip ($80) to 1,100,000 kip per month on May 1, 2018.
By contrast, wages remain low, except in Myanmar
Compared to other developing countries in the region, the current minimum wage for regular workers in Cambodia is currently $192 a month, and in Myanmar it is 4,800 kyats ($2.70) a day for just $65 a month for a six-day week. , in Vietnam, between VND 3,070,000 (USD 136) and VND 4,200,000 (USD 185), depending on the region.
Minimum wages in Indonesia range from IDR 1,765,000 (US$ 123) in less developed regions to IDR 4,416,186 (US$ 307) per month in the capital Jakarta.
In the Philippines, the minimum wage depends on the type of work (agricultural or non-agricultural) and the region. The current range is between 303 pesos ($5.93) and 537 pesos ($11.51) per day, which results in a monthly salary of roughly between $142 and $276 for six-day work a month.
The more developed countries Thailand and Malaysia also set minimum wages by region. Current wages in Thailand range from 313 baht (9.37) to 336 baht ($10.06), so a worker working 6 days a week can take home $225 to $241 a month.
The monthly minimum wage in Malaysia’s 56 major cities is 1,200 ringgit ($286), while the minimum wage in non-urban areas and rural towns is 1,100 ringgit ($263).
Singapore and Brunei do not have a general minimum wage.However, Singapore already set a minimum wage for companies last year Hire foreign workers A minimum of SGD 1,400 (USD 1,033) per month for full-time employees And part-time jobs of $9 an hour, mostly to boost the earnings of low-skilled workers like cleaners or security guards.
Policymakers in Laos are studying a proposal to raise the country’s minimum wage, as inflation and rising living costs are especially detrimental to low-income earners, The Lao Times reported. The current minimum wage, which is 1.1 million kip ($97) per month, will be raised to 1.5 million kip ($134), effective since the last hike in mid-2018, according to the Lao Federation of Trade Unions’ proposal. If implemented legally, the pay rise would take effect in March of this year. Federation vice-president Phonesane Vilaymeng said the cost of living continued to rise,…
Policymakers in Laos are studying a proposal to raise the country’s minimum wage, as inflation and rising living costs disproportionately affect low-income earners, lao times report.
The current minimum wage, which is 1.1 million kip ($97) per month, will be raised to 1.5 million kip ($134), effective since the last hike in mid-2018, according to the Lao Federation of Trade Unions’ proposal.
If implemented legally, the pay rise would take effect in March of this year.
Phonesane Vilaymeng, vice-president of the federation, said that the cost of living continued to rise, and that rising market prices had a direct impact on low-paid employees in the country.
rising cost of living
“The high cost of living affects thousands of workers across the country in four sectors: agriculture, industry, services and construction,” Vilaymeng noted.
“We propose to raise the minimum wage from 1,100,000 kip per month to 1,500,000 kip per month. We are now seeking official confirmation after government approval,” he added.
Vilaymeng said the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry are in final discussions on the potential increase and are expected to announce their decision in due course.
The Lao government last raised the minimum wage from 900,000 kip ($80) to 1,100,000 kip per month on May 1, 2018.
By contrast, wages remain low, except in Myanmar
Compared to other developing countries in the region, the current minimum wage for regular workers in Cambodia is currently $192 a month, and in Myanmar it is 4,800 kyats ($2.70) a day for just $65 a month for a six-day week. , in Vietnam, between VND 3,070,000 (USD 136) and VND 4,200,000 (USD 185), depending on the region.
Minimum wages in Indonesia range from IDR 1,765,000 (US$ 123) in less developed regions to IDR 4,416,186 (US$ 307) per month in the capital Jakarta.
In the Philippines, the minimum wage depends on the type of work (agricultural or non-agricultural) and the region. The current range is between 303 pesos ($5.93) and 537 pesos ($11.51) per day, which results in a monthly salary of roughly between $142 and $276 for six-day work a month.
The more developed countries Thailand and Malaysia also set minimum wages by region. Current wages in Thailand range from 313 baht (9.37) to 336 baht ($10.06), so a worker working 6 days a week can take home $225 to $241 a month.
The monthly minimum wage in Malaysia’s 56 major cities is 1,200 ringgit ($286), while the minimum wage in non-urban areas and rural towns is 1,100 ringgit ($263).
Singapore and Brunei do not have a general minimum wage.However, Singapore already set a minimum wage for companies last year Hire foreign workers A minimum of SGD 1,400 (USD 1,033) per month for full-time employees And part-time jobs of $9 an hour, mostly to boost the earnings of low-skilled workers like cleaners or security guards.
