Minimum wages have been increased by 30% or to MNT140,400 from April 5. Minister of Social Welfare and Labor T.Gandhi yesterday announced this at a press conference attended by, among others, the Executive Director of the Mongolian Employers’ Federation, Kh.Ganbaatar, and the Vice President of Confederation of Trade Unions, B.Batchuluun. This comes after an agreement among the Government, employers and trade unions based on suggestions from four studies by analysts.

However, different minimum wages will be fixed in differently sectors, especially in fields such as mining, after negotiations to begin next month. There is also a proposal to help organizations not to trim their work force following the increase. They may get loans double the amount now allowed from the Employment Support Fund. SMEs provide 75% of working places in the country.