The Government of Nepal, employers and labour unions have agreed to raise the minimum monthly wage for workers to Rs 19,550, up from Rs 17,300 set two years ago.

The agreement was reached during a tripartite meeting held on Thursday, July 17–the first day of FY 2025/26–at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

The Labour Act, 2017 mandates the minimum wage be revised every two years.

Effective immediately, the monthly basic salary has been set at Rs 12,170, and a dearness allowance at 7,380.

According to the ministry, workers will now receive a daily basic wage of Rs 470 and a daily allowance of Rs 284. The hourly basic wage has been fixed at Rs 63, with an hourly allowance of Rs 38.

For part-time workers, the minimum hourly wage has been set at Rs 107. The new wage structure will apply to all sectors except tea plantations.

Following the agreement, Labour Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari said setting the wage alone was not enough. “All stakeholders must be committed to its effective implementation,” he said.

Pradeep Kumar Koirala, coordinator of the Minimum Wage Determination Committee and joint secretary at the ministry, said the agreement was the result of long consultations, coordination, and in-depth discussion.

FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal welcomed the consensus. “This balanced agreement, reached through transparent dialogue, is acceptable to all,” he said.

Janak Chaudhary, representing the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC), called the deal a victory for workers. “For the first time, our voice has been reflected. We will ensure implementation through strict monitoring,” he said.

Negotiators included Joint Secretary Pradeep Koirala from the government; FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Senior Vice-President Jyotsna Shrestha, and Deepak Shrestha from the employers’ side; and Janak Chaudhary from the labour unions.

(With inputs from RSS)