KATHMANDU: Nepal has officially raised the minimum wage for workers to Rs 19,550 per month. The decision was published in the government gazette on Monday, following a tripartite agreement reached last Thursday among the government, employers, and workers’ organizations.
The agreement was finalized in a meeting held at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security on July 16. It will apply for the next two fiscal years.
According to Section 107 of the Labour Act, 2017, Nepal is required to revise the minimum wage every two years. This is the first time the wage has been set through a consensus among all three parties — government, employers, and workers.
Minister for Labour Sharatsingh Bhandari welcomed the development, noting that simply setting wages is not enough, all parties must now take joint responsibility to ensure effective implementation.
Pradeep Koirala, coordinator of the Minimum Wage Determination Committee and joint secretary at the labour ministry, said the new rate was the result of prolonged consultation, coordination, and detailed discussion among stakeholders.
Representing employers, FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal said the agreement was essential for maintaining sustainable labour relations, and that the compromise reached through mutual flexibility was acceptable to all.
Prior to this decision, the minimum wage stood at Rs 17,300.
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