January 18, 2008 -- Sichuan government officials raised the minimum wage in the province by 12.5 percent at the end of December, reported the state-owned Sichuan News Network.

The monthly minimum wage will go up from 400 to 450 yuan, with a minimum of 4.9 yuan per hour for part-time work, effective Dec. 26. The government also reduce the four-tier minimum wage structure to just three tiers. The top tier mandates a minimum of 650 yuan per month, or 7.1 yuan per hour.

Liu Gongxun, the Deputy Director of Sichuan Provincial Labor and Social Security Administration told the news service that federal law allows each province to set minimum wages independently, as long as it's at least 450 yuan per month.