Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published the minimum wage standards for all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country (as of October 1, 2026).
In terms of the monthly minimum wage standard, Shanghai ranks first nationwide with a standard of 2,740 yuan; in terms of the hourly minimum wage standard, Beijing ranks first nationwide with a standard of 27.7 yuan.
Among them, Guangxi's monthly minimum wage standards are: 2,200 yuan for the first tier, 2,040 yuan for the second tier, and 1,870 yuan for the third tier; the hourly minimum wage standards are: 22.4 yuan for the first tier, 20.7 yuan for the second tier, and 19 yuan for the third tier.
1. What is the minimum wage standard?
The minimum wage standard refers to the minimum labor remuneration that an employer is legally required to pay under the premise that a worker has provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract. It generally takes two forms: the monthly minimum wage standard and the hourly minimum wage standard.
If a worker has provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract, and the wage paid by the employer to the worker is lower than the locally published minimum wage standard, this constitutes an illegal act.
If a worker fails to provide normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract due to personal reasons, then the minimum wage standard payment provisions do not apply to that worker's wages.
2. Does the minimum wage standard include social insurance contributions and overtime pay?
According to the Provisions on Minimum Wages, when a worker provides normal labor, the wage payable by the employer to the worker must not be lower than the local minimum wage standard after excluding the following items: (1) wages for extended working hours; (2) allowances for special working environments and conditions such as middle shifts, night shifts, high temperatures, low temperatures, underground work, and toxic or harmful conditions; (3) welfare benefits for workers as stipulated by laws, regulations, and national provisions.
Many regions stipulate that the minimum wage standard includes expenses paid by workers themselves for basic pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, housing provident fund, and other items.
3. If an employer violates the regulations, how can workers defend their rights?
If an employer violates the minimum wage standard payment regulations, workers may report and complain to the local human resources and social security department, or apply for mediation, arbitration, or initiate litigation in accordance with the law.
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