On October 8, 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.
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 during statutory working hours or 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 an employer pays a worker wages below the locally published minimum wage standard under the premise that the worker has provided normal labor during statutory working hours or the working hours stipulated in a legally signed labor contract, such behavior constitutes a violation of the law.
If a worker fails to provide normal labor during statutory working hours or 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.
Does the minimum wage standard include social insurance contributions and overtime pay?
According to the Provisions on Minimum Wages, under the condition that a worker provides normal labor, the wages that an employer should pay 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 the expenses paid by workers themselves for basic pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, housing provident fund, and other items.
How can workers protect their rights if an employer violates the regulations?
If an employer violates the minimum wage standard payment provisions, workers may report and complain to the local human resources and social security department, or apply for mediation, arbitration, or file a lawsuit in accordance with the law.
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