18 provinces, cities raise minimum wage  

(ECNS) — By July 1, 18 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China will have raised their minimum wage standards, according to media reports on Monday.

They are Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Beijing, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Shenzhen, Gansu, Shaanxi, Guizhou, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan and Liaoning.

In Jiangsu, the minimum monthly wage will increase from 1,320 yuan ($215.1) to 1,480 yuan ($241.2); the minimum monthly wage standard in Sichuan will be divided into four categories, with the highest category increasing to 1,200 yuan ($195.6); in Liaoning, the minimum wage will increase from 1,100 yuan ($179.3) to 1,300 ($211.9).

Shanghai leads the nation at 1,620 yuan ($263.7), while both Beijing and Xinjiang boast the highest hourly wage at 15.2 yuan ($2.48).

In addition, Anhui and Fujian provinces are also expected to raise their minimum wage standards this year.

According to China's Provision on Minimum Wage, local governments should adjust the minimum wage at least once every two years.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security indicate that local governments have been raising their minimum wages significantly in recent years.

In 2011 and 2012, respectively 24 provinces and 25 provinces raised their minimum wages, registering an average wage increase of 22 percent and 20.2 percent.

According to a statement from the State Council, or China's cabinet, the setting of minimum wages is based on a package of conditions, which include the Consumer Price Index, level of economic development and employment conditions. By 2015, most regions in China will see minimum wages higher than 40 percent of the average wage of urban employees.