Employment Ministry begins review of National Minimum Wage rate

The Ministry of Employment has begun to carry out the review of the National Minimum Wage targeting employers and workers covered under the formal and informal sector of the economy.

Employment Minister, Parveen Bala has highlighted that the exercise is in line with the government’s commitment to protect the most vulnerable in society and providing them a basic standard of living to alleviate poverty.

He adds that the Ministry will re‑engage Professor of Economics Dr. Partha Gangopadhyay to lead the review of the National Minimum Wage together with some Ministry officials and a total 88 Enumerators.

Bala says that once they have completed the survey the Employment  Ministry will hold a nationwide public consultation on the outcome of the Consultant’s Wage Survey Report.

He says that this will then be presented to the Employment Relations Advisory Board, their tripartite mechanism and to Cabinet for consideration and decision.

Bala has also encouraged all employers, workers, and members of the general public to support and participate in this important national exercise to ensure the review is as inclusive, fair, evidence-based and informed as possible.

The National Minimum Wage rate is currently $2.68 per hour.

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