Editing Minimum wage (section)

== By country ==
{{further|List of countries by minimum wage}}

=== Argentina ===
[[File:Presidente Juan Domingo Perón (AGN 123768).jpg|thumb|[[President of Argentina]], [[Juan Perón|Juan Domingo Perón]], who introduced the minimum wage in 1945 as [[Secretariat of Labour, Employment and Social Security (Argentina)|Secretary of Labour]], and later reformed the [[Constitution of Argentina|Constitution]] to add the minimum wage.]]
The minimum wage was introduced in [[Argentina]] in 1945, by [[Juan Perón|Juan Domingo Perón]], when he was [[Secretariat of Labour, Employment and Social Security (Argentina)|Secretary of Labour]] during the government of [[Edelmiro Julián Farrell|Edelmiro Farrell]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sánchez |first1=Carlos E. |last2=Ferrero |first2=Fernando |last3=Schulthess |first3=Wálter E. |last4=Sanchez |first4=Carlos E. |last5=Schulthess |first5=Walter E. |date=April 1979 |title=Empleo, desempleo y tamaño de la fuerza laboral en el mercado de trabajo urbano de la Argentina |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/3466495 |journal=Desarrollo Económico |volume=19 |issue=73 |pages=53 |doi=10.2307/3466495 |jstor=3466495 |issn=0046-001X}}</ref> When Perón became president, he added it to the [[Argentine Constitution of 1949|Constitutional Reform of 1949]], however, the [[Revolución Libertadora|dictatorship that overthrew his government in 1955]] eliminated the constitutional hierarchy the minimum wage that obtained.

In 1964, the minimum wage was reincorporated by the [[Argentine National Congress|Congress]] in the Law 16.459<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bacic |first=Uros |date=1964-12-01 |title=Algunas consideraciones sobre la Ley del Salario Vital Mínimo y Móvil |url=https://doi.org/10.52292/j.estudecon.1964.1005 |journal=Estudios económicos |volume=3 |issue=5/6 |pages=127–130 |doi=10.52292/j.estudecon.1964.1005 |issn=2525-1295}}</ref>

In the [[1994 amendment of the Constitution of Argentina|Constitutional reform of 1994]], the minimum wage obtained once again constitutional hierarchy. 

The minimum wage is defined by the National Council for Employment, Productivity and Minimum, Vital and Mobile Wage, which is formed by Union representatives, business entities and the government.

=== Armenia ===
The concept of the national minimum wage emerged in [[Armenia]] in 1995. Since then, it has been increasing, on average, every couple of years. The longest unchanged streak of the national minimum wage was between 1999 and 2003, when it was set at 5,000 [[Armenian Dram|AMD]], and between 2015 and 2019 where it was set at 55,000 AMD. In November 2022, the national minimum wage was subject to the latest increase. It was set at 75,000 AMD.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Armenia - Minimum wages 2022 &#124; countryeconomy.com|url=https://countryeconomy.com/national-minimum-wage/armenia|access-date=14 February 2023|website=countryeconomy.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/730308.html/|title=Minimum wage to rise in Armenia|work=news.am|access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>

===Lebanon===

After two years of constant financial meltdown, Lebanon as of 2021 is ranking as one of the 10 countries in the world with the lowest minimum wages because of the collapse of the local pound following the Lebanese financial crisis that started in August 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Xinhua |title=Lebanon ranks among countries with lowest minimum wages |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-02/26/c_139767728.htm |access-date=16 April 2022 |agency=Xinhua |issue=26 February 2021 |publisher=Xinhua |date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416183921/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-02/26/c_139767728.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The minimum monthly wage set at LBP 675,000, which valued USD 450 prior to the crisis, is barely reaching USD 30 nowadays.<ref>{{cite news |last1=WION Web Team |title=Lebanon families spending five times minimum wage on food alone |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-families-spending-five-times-minimum-wage-on-food-alone-study-399497 |access-date=16 April 2022 |agency=WION Web Team |date=22 November 2021}}</ref> The currency has lost nearly 90% of its value and drove three quarters of residents into poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goyeneche |first1=Ainhoa |title=Lebanon's inflation rate is worse than Zimbabwe's and Venezuela's |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/9/21/lebanons-inflation-rate-is-worse-than-zimbabwes-and-venezuelas |access-date=16 April 2022 |agency=AlJazeera |publisher=AlJazeera |date=21 September 2021}}</ref>

Article 44 of the Lebanese Code of Labor states that, "the minimum pay must be sufficient to meet the essential needs of the wage-earner or salary-earner and his family," and according to Article 46, "the minimum pay assessed shall be rectified whenever economic circumstances render such review necessary."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ramadan |first1=Tala |title=Lebanon's average salary plummets 84 percent over 12 months |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/2021/02/28/Lebanon-s-average-salary-plummets-by-84-percent |access-date=16 April 2022 |agency=AlArabiya |publisher=AlArabiya |date=28 February 2021}}</ref>

===Republic of Ireland===

The national minimum wage was introduced in the [[Republic of Ireland]] in April 2000. Prior to this, minimum wages were set by industry-specific Joint Labour Committees. However, coverage for workers was low and the agreements were poorly enforced and moreover, those who were covered by agreements received low wages.

As of April 2000, the government introduced a national minimum wage of €5.58 per hour. The minimum wage increased regularly in the period from 2000 to 2007 and reached €8.65 per hour in July 2007. As the global economic downturn hit the country in 2008, there was no further wage increases until 2016 when the minimum wage was increased to 9.15.

Before the 2019, there existed specific categories of employees that earned sub-minimum wage rates, expressed as a percentage of the full rate of pay. Employees under the age of 18 were eligible to earn 70 per cent of the minimum wage, employees in the first year of employment were eligible to earn 80 per cent, employees in the second year of full employment were eligible to earn 90 per cent and employees in structured training during working hours were eligible to earn 75, 80 or 90 per cent depending on their level of progression. This framework has since been abolished in place of a framework based on the age of the employee.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Redmond |first1=Paul |title=Minimum wage policy in Ireland |journal=Budget Perspectives |id=No. 2021/2 |date=May 2020 |pages=1–2 |doi=10.26504/bp202102 |s2cid=218932373 |url=https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/227618/1/1697722245.pdf |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref>

As of 1 January 2022, the minimum wage is €10.50. Those aged 20 and over are eligible to receive 100 percent of the minimum wage. Those under the age of 18 are eligible to receive 70 percent of the minimum wage, those aged 18 are eligible to receive 80 percent of the minimum wage and those aged 19 are eligible receive 90 percent of the minimum wage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Minimum rates of pay |url=https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/pay_and_employment/pay_inc_min_wage.html |publisher=Citizens Information |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref>

===South Korea===
{{excerpt|Minimum wage in South Korea}}

=== Spain ===
The Spanish government sets the "Interprofessional Minimum Wage" (SMI) annually, after consulting with the most representative [[trade union]]s and business associations, for both permanent and temporary workers, as well as for domestic employees. It takes into account the [[consumer price index]], national average productivity, the increase in labor's share in [[national income]], and the general economic situation.<ref>{{Citation |last=Jefatura del Estado |title=Real Decreto-ley 3/2004, de 25 de junio, para la racionalización de la regulación del salario mínimo interprofesional y para el incremento de su cuantía |date=2004-06-26 |url=https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rdl/2004/06/25/3 |issue=Real Decreto-ley 3/2004 |pages=23466–23472 |access-date=2023-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BOE-A-2015-11430 Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2015, de 23 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley del Estatuto de los Trabajadores. |url=https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2015-11430 |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.boe.es}}</ref>

The SMI can be revised semi-annually if the government's predictions about the consumer price index are not met. The amount set is a minimum wage, so it can be exceeded by a collective agreement or individual agreement with the company. The revision of the SMI does not affect the structure or amount of professional salaries being paid to workers when they are superior to the established minimum wage. Finally, the amount of the SMI is non-seizable.

The minimum wage was introduced in Spain in [[1963]] through [[Decree]] [https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-1963-1598 55/1963], proposed by [[Jesús Romeo Gorría]], the [[Minister of Labor]] during [[Francisco Franco]]'s IX Government. The purpose was to ensure fair remuneration for all workers, adjusting wages to labor and economic conditions and advocating for salary equity. It was set at 1,800 pesetas/month (25,200 pesetas/year, 12 monthly payments plus 2 extra payments, as its customary in Spain as to this day), equivalent to 10.80 euros at the time but only 400 euros in today's prices.

In the years following Franco's death in 1975, the minimum wage gradually increased, reaching 50.49 euros (8,400 pesetas) that year, which is equivalent to 657.23 euros in today's currency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-31 |title=Así ha evolucionado el Salario Mínimo en España desde el franquismo hasta los 1.080 euros de 2023 |url=https://www.larazon.es/economia/20230131/72hnqi72p5bunfiuydcsut5pqe.html |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.larazon.es |language=es}}</ref> Over the years, the minimum wage continued to rise, with several revisions along the way. In 2022, the Spanish government set the minimum wage at 33.33 euros per day or 1,000 euros per month, effective from January 1. This represents a 47% increase from the previous minimum wage set in 2018 at 735.90 euros.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BOE-A-2022-2851 Real Decreto 152/2022, de 22 de febrero, por el que se fija el salario mínimo interprofesional para 2022. |url=https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2022-2851 |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.boe.es}}</ref>

There are several debates around the minimum wage in Spain, which focus on its impact on [[employment]] and [[inflation]]. While some argue that increasing the minimum wage can be a useful tool to increase the incomes of low-income families and reduce poverty, others have doubts about its effectiveness in achieving these goals.

For instance, an analysis conducted by [[Bank of Spain|BCE]] (Central Bank of Spain, by its initials in spanish) in 2019 on the impact of the 2017 increase in the minimum wage showed a negative effect on the probability of maintaining employment among affected workers, which was particularly significant for older workers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lacuesta Gabarain |first1=A. |last2=Izquierdo Peinado |first2=M. |last3=Puente Díaz |first3=S. |date=2019 |title=Un análisis del impacto de la subida del salario mínimo interprofesional en 2017 sobre la probabilidad de perder el empleo. |url=https://www.bde.es/f/webbde/SES/Secciones/Publicaciones/PublicacionesSeriadas/DocumentosOcasionales/19/Fich/do1902.pdf |journal=Documentos Ocasionales |volume=1902 |via=Banco de España}}</ref>

Additionally, the 2022 raise of the minimum wage revived the debate about the relationship between inflation and the SMI, with some arguing that the increase in the minimum wage could potentially contribute to inflation. The debate centres on whether it's a useful tool to help maintain the [[purchasing power]] of those who retain their jobs, or it's not effective because it adds pressure to the growth of prices and increase the likelihood of inflation becoming entrenched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=España {{!}} Luces y sombras de la subida del SMI {{!}} BBVA Research |url=https://www.bbvaresearch.com/publicaciones/espana-luces-y-sombras-de-la-subida-del-smi/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.bbvaresearch.com |language=es}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
{{Main|National Living Wage}}

===United States===
{{Main|Minimum wage in the United States}}
{{excerpt|Minimum wage in the United States}}

=== Australia ===
In Australia, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) is responsible for determining and setting a national minimum wage as well as the minimum wages in awards setting wage rates for particular occupations and industries. ''The Fair Work Act 2009'' establishes an Expert panel tasked with providing and maintaining a safety net of a fair minimum wage. The Expert panel is made up of the president of the panel, three full time commission members, and three part time commission members. All members must have experience in workplace relations, economics, social policy or business, industry and commerce and can inform its decision making through commissioning a range of economic and social research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual wage reviews {{!}} Fair Work Commission |url=https://www.fwc.gov.au/hearings-decisions/major-cases/annual-wage-reviews |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=www.fwc.gov.au}}</ref>

The legislative framework requires that, in setting minimum wages, the Expert Panel is required to take into account the current state of the economy, including inflation, business competitiveness, productivity and employment growth. In addition, the Expert panel must also consider the social goals of the promotion of social inclusion, the standard of living of the low paid, equal remuneration for work of equal or comparable value and reasonable wages for junior employees, employees whose jobs have training requirements and employees with disability.<ref name=":02">{{cite act|type=Act|index=Part 2-6|date=7 July 2009|article=Fair Work Act|article-type=Act|title=Fair Work Act 2009|trans-title=|page=284|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00323|language=English}}</ref> See [[Fair Work Act 2009]] for more information.

The Expert panel conducts yearly wage reviews, to determine if the minimum wage needs to be adjusted based on the economy's current and projected performance. The annual minimum wage review decisions in 2016–17 found, based on research tendered and submissions to the review, that moderate increases to minimum wages do not inhibit workplace participation or result in disemployment. This position was carried over to the 2017–18 and 2018–19 decisions<ref name=":02" /> and informed the decisions including the 2018–19 decision which delivered a minimum wage increase of 3% when the corresponding headline rate of inflation was 1.3%.<ref>{{cite act|type=Decision|index=Annual Wage Review|date=30 May 2019|article=Fair Work Act|article-type=Act|title=Annual Wage Review 2019|trans-title=Decision|page=10|url=https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/wage-reviews/2018-19/decisions/2019fwcfb3500.pdf|language=English}}</ref> In the annual minimum wage review decisions of 2019–20 and 2020–21, the FWC was considerably more constrained in setting minimum wages due to uncertain economic conditions during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and the 2020–21 decision noted the uncertainty of the impact of increases in the minimum wages for youth employment.<ref>{{cite act|type=Decision|index=Annual Wage Review|date=16 June 2020|article=Fair Work Act|article-type=Act|title=Annual Wage Review 2020|trans-title=Decision|page=10|url=https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/pdf/2021fwcfb3500.pdf|language=English}}</ref>