The Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Sichuan and Liaoning have announced that they will raise the average minimum wage on Monday.

The fist-tier regions in Jiangsu increased their monthly minimum wage from 1,320 yuan to 1,480 yuan, according to local governments. The Sichuan government divided its standard into four levels, and the highest level has increased to 1,200 yuan. Liaoning raised the standard from 1,100 yuan to 1,300 yuan.

Since January, 18 Chinese provinces and municipalities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Henan, Shanxi, Gansu, Guizhou and Xinjiang have increased their minimum wage. In addition, Anhui and Fujian will also increase their minimum wage this year.

Shanghai has the highest monthly minimum wage, which reached 1,620 yuan (US$264). While Beijing and Xinjiang have the highest hourly pay, which is 15.2 yuan (US$2.48) per hour.

The statistics of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security show that 24 provinces and municipalities, in China, have raised their minimum wage, in 2011, and the average growth rate reached 22 percent compared to the previous year. Last year, 25 Chinese provinces and municipalities have increased their minimum wage, which was up by 20.2 percent compared to 2011.

In accordance with the guidelines to reform income distribution, which were approved by the State Council, the minimum wage should be increased following economic changes.

The minimum wage is expected to reach more than 40 percent of the average wage of local urban employees by 2015. The minimum wage, in different regions, has to be increased at least once every two years.

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