[Shanghai] Latest rise keeps minimum pay rates ahead of other regions

Shanghai has increased its advantage over other Chinese cities with a minimum monthly pay rate rise, Yicai Global reports.

On July 1, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau revised the monthly rate to CNY2,690 ($372), up by CNY100 ($14), ensuring that the city retained its position as China's best-paid labour market. Workers now earn at least CNY24 ($3.30) per hour, rising from CNY23.

According to data issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security last week, in 15 of China's 31 provincial-level regions, employees in the highest tier of minimum pay earn CNY2,000 ($277) or above. Cities and provinces among the 15 include Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shaanxi and Tianjin. Some of these regions, however, continue to pay less than CNY2,000 to lower-tier workers.

Ding Changfa - an associate professor at Xiamen University - told Yicai Global that China's economic development and residents’ income vary prominently based on region. The cost of living in large cities and small counties widely differs, leading to different salary standards.

Ding added that, for example, in Fujian province, the city of Xiamen has the highest minimum pay but also relatively high housing prices and daily living costs.

Many Chinese regions have reportedly improved their labour conditions in 2023. The provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, Guizhou, Qinghai, Anhui and Shaanxi have all revised their minimum pay this year. Anhui province hiked its first tier of minimum pay to exceed CNY2,000 for the first time in March.

Source: Yicai Global

Shanghai has increased its advantage over other Chinese cities with a minimum monthly pay rate rise, Yicai Global reports.

On July 1, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau revised the monthly rate to CNY2,690 ($372), up by CNY100 ($14), ensuring that the city retained its position as China's best-paid labour market. Workers now earn at least CNY24 ($3.30) per hour, rising from CNY23.

According to data issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security last week, in 15 of China's 31 provincial-level regions, employees in the highest tier of minimum pay earn CNY2,000 ($277) or above. Cities and provinces among the 15 include Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shaanxi and Tianjin. Some of these regions, however, continue to pay less than CNY2,000 to lower-tier workers.

Ding Changfa - an associate professor at Xiamen University - told Yicai Global that China's economic development and residents’ income vary prominently based on region. The cost of living in large cities and small counties widely differs, leading to different salary standards.

Ding added that, for example, in Fujian province, the city of Xiamen has the highest minimum pay but also relatively high housing prices and daily living costs.

Many Chinese regions have reportedly improved their labour conditions in 2023. The provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, Guizhou, Qinghai, Anhui and Shaanxi have all revised their minimum pay this year. Anhui province hiked its first tier of minimum pay to exceed CNY2,000 for the first time in March.

Source: Yicai Global