Private sector workers to enjoy raised wages starting October

According to the National Committee on Setting the Minimum Wage, the K4,800 daily minimum wage set on 14 May 2018 will increase by K1,000 of allowance as of 5 October and the new minimum wage of K5,800 per day will apply to all employees in all workplaces and factories across the country. The employers are also supposed to factor in the new minimum wage starting on 1 October in the calculation of salaries for workers.
“The minimum wage of K600 per hour and K4,800 per day for eight hours of work have not been changed. Workers will only earn K1,000 of the daily allowance. If there are thirty days in a month, it means that they get their salary plus K30,000 of allowance. Some private factories have already increased their allowances months ago and they do not need to increase again now. Only factories that have not yet increased their allowance fee must comply with the scheme,” said U Htain Lin, a member of the Thakayta Industrial Zone Management Committee in Thakayta Township, Yangon Region.
Many of the factories in Yangon Region’s industrial zones have already practised the minimum wage of K5,800 per day even before the announcement. — ASH/TH