Jiangsu provincial government has approved a plan to raise minimum wage by an average of more than 18 per cent from 1 February, according to China News Services.

Local cities and counties have been categorised into three classes. Class One cities such as Nanjing, Jiangyin and Nantong will raise the minimum wage from Rmb960 a month to Rmb1,140, up by 18.8 per cent. The minimum wage in Class Two cities such as Taizhou and Yangzhou will rise from Rmb790 to Rmb930, up by 17.7 per cent. In Class Three cities such as Taixing, the rise will be 19.4 per cent from Rmb690 to Rmb800. Hourly rates have gone up as well.

The minimum wage does not include overtime, night shifts and various subsidies for other special working conditions.