French Polynesia's new government has introduced a new minimum wage, that came into effect on New Years day.
At its first cabinet meeting, the new executive headed by President Gaston Tong Sang announced the new minimum wage was US$1500 per month.
This is slightly lower than the US$1590 per month minimum wage promised by the former administration of pro-independence President Oscar Temaru, who was ousted in a motion of no confidence on 13 December.
Teva Rohfritch, the new minister for the Economy, told local media the minimum wage hike was in line with the cost of living, and further increases could
only be implemented after consulting with French Polynesia's key economic and social stakeholders.
In a similar move, the New Caledonia government decided to raise the minimum wage to a new monthly wage of US$1400, which also took effect from January 1.
