Myanmar has increased by 33 percent the minimum wage for workers in the garment industry, which will be of MMK 4,800 (€2.9-$3.6) per day, or MMK 600 (€0.36-$0.44) per hour. The current basic daily salary is MMK 3,600 (€2.7-$3.3), a rate which was established in September 2012. The raise will be applied to all businesses with ten or more workers, and the same daily minimum wage will be valid across all regions and states. Various labor organizations in the country have complained about the increase, though. The upgrade comes in lower than the 55 percent increase to MMK 5,600 (€3.4-$4.2) that workers and unions had been protesting for. Workers largely consider the raise too low when compared with the high cost of living for them and their families, especially in urban areas. According to local reports, Myanmar's National Tripartite Committee, which made the decision about the increase, received more than 4,000 complaints from workers. Meanwhile, employers are also complaining, as they had said they were not willing to pay more than MMK 4,000 (€2.4-$2.9). The Committee will be taking public suggestions and objections in the coming weeks, and will release a final figure based on that commentary within 60 days.

Topics