VIENTIANE, June 17 (Xinhua) — The Lao government has agreed to increase the monthly minimum wage from 1,100,000 kips (some 72 U.S. dollars) to 1,300,000 kips (some 86 U.S. dollars) for private-sector employees in a bid to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
The increase will come into effect in August, and will be a boost to the millions of people struggling to survive during the current economic downturn