Average nominal wage growth for migrant workers fell below 7% last year as consumer prices rose 2%. Urban workers in China have also seen their wage packets grow more slowly as overall economic growth has declined to its slowest in 25 years. But the declines for migrant workers have been more dramatic compared with the rises of more than 20% seen in the wake of the financial crisis. Then pay was lifted by a huge government stimulus program and an aggressive campaign to boost minimum wages -prompting manufacturers to consider relocating to cheaper countries. Ailing exports in 2015 added to fears that China could lose its competitive edge, ultimately forcing the authorities to reverse. This year, just five regions in China had increased their minimum wages as of June, against 27 at the same point in 2015, the Financial Times reports. The rate of salary increase fell to about 6% on average last year from more than 20% in 2011.
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