GUANGDONG, CHINA -- According to a report by Dominique Numakura the Guangdong local government has increased the minimum monthly wage by approximately 20% per year beginning in July. The Guangdong government plans to double worker’s income in the five years.

The Shanghai government increased the minimum wage 14% in April. This comes on the heels of a previous 14% increase in late 2007 effectively pushing the wages in the Shanghai area up by 27% in less than one year. At the current rate of increase, salaries will double every three or four years.