Myanmar to introduce first ever minimum wage after wave of protests demanding better pay

Myanmar's government has approved the country's first-ever national minimum wage, state media reported yesterday, after months of bitter negotiations with labour groups and employers.

The wage has been set at 3,600 kyat (HK$21.50) for a standard eight-hour work day and takes effect from Tuesday, said the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

It will apply to workers across all sectors and industries, but small businesses employing less than 15 people would be excluded, it added.

Myanmar has seen a wave of protests for better pay and conditions, particularly among workers in the growing garment sector, after decades of direct junta rule came to an end in 2011.

The decision on pay, announced by the National Minimum Wage Committee on Friday, follows several rounds of talks between the government, labour groups, employers and workers since a law approving its introduction was passed two years ago.

It comes as part of the plethora of political and economic reforms introduced under the quasi-civilian government that has also seen a growth in foreign investment, with big brands looking to move into the nation after most international sanctions were dropped.