The government of Guangdong plans to leave the province’s minimum wage unchanged in 2016 and 2017 in an attempt to help manufacturers cut costs, Caixin reported, citing a new provincial action plan. Labor costs have risen throughout China in recent years, and many smaller businesses use the government-mandated minimum wage as the base level for workers. That level affects factory workers most, as their white-collar counterparts usually earn much more. Minimum wage also varies within provinces: In Guangzhou, Guangdong’s capital, is RMB1,895 (US$290.14), while the figure in smaller towns is RMB1,210.