The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security recently published the minimum wage standards for all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country, with data current as of October 1, 2026. Regarding the monthly minimum wage standard, Shanghai ranks first nationwide with a standard of 2,740 yuan. As for the hourly minimum wage standard, Beijing ranks first nationwide with a standard of 27.7 yuan. In Hebei, the three tiers of the monthly minimum wage standard are 2,380 yuan, 2,230 yuan, and 2,080 yuan, respectively.

What exactly is the minimum wage standard?

The minimum wage standard refers to the minimum labor remuneration that an employer is legally required to pay, on the premise that the worker has provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a lawfully 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 less than the locally published minimum wage standard, despite the worker having provided normal labor within statutory working hours or within the working hours stipulated in a lawfully signed labor contract, such conduct constitutes an illegal act. If a worker fails to provide normal labor during statutory working hours or during the working hours stipulated in a lawfully signed labor contract due to reasons attributable to the worker personally, 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, where a worker provides normal labor, the wages an employer is required to pay the worker must not fall below the local minimum wage standard after the following items are excluded: (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 stipulated by laws, regulations, and national rules. Many localities stipulate that the minimum wage standard includes the basic pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, housing provident fund, and other expenses paid by the worker personally.

If an employer violates the rules, how can workers defend their rights?

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.