The minimum wage rate in Beijing is to rise by 30 yuan (US$3.6) to 495 yuan (US$59.8) per month, the Beijing Office of Labor and Social Security announced Thursday.

Mao Ai, an official with the office, said the new rate would be implemented on Jan. 1 next year and would apply to all the employees of companies, institutes, government departments and other organizations.

The current minimum level is 465 yuan (US$56) a month.

Mao said the minimum rate was based on the average indices of prices, salaries and other statistics.

The city adopted a minimum wage in 1994, when the government required employers to pay at least 210 yuan (US$25.3) per month.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2003)