2 Feb 2009

PNG minimum wage triples

6:47 pm on 2 February 2009

Papua new Guinea's Minimum Wage Board has announced the first pay rise for minimum-wage workers since 1993, meaning unskilled workers will nearly triple their weekly take-home pay.

Workers on the minimum wage in PNG currently earn about 14 US dollars for a 44-hour week, but the amount should rise in two stages to 40 US dollars by the end of this year.

PNG's Post Courier newspaper said government approval would be needed before the higher minimum wage became law.

PNG Trade Union Congress president Michael Malabag welcomed the increase saying in particular it would greatly benefit plantation labourers, security guards, shop assistants and farm workers who have been neglected for so long.