While deliberation to determine next year's minimum wage is in progress at the last minute, members of the public interest committee have suggested that the hourly wage be set at 9,620 won, a 5% increase from this year.
The public interest commissioner explained that the amount was calculated by subtracting the employment growth rate of 2.2% from the economic growth rate of 2.7% plus the consumer price increase rate of 4.5%.
The Minimum Wage Board is debating whether the amount will be put into a vote soon.
Previously, public interest committee members set a deliberation facilitation section to determine the minimum wage for next year between 9,410 won and 9,860 won.
As the first request from the labor community, an hourly wage of 10,890 won and the business community a freeze of 9,160 won, failed to close the gap.
The Minimum Wage Committee is made up of 27 members, 9 each for workers, employers, and public interest members. Most of the historical minimum wage has been determined by the last amount offered by the public interest commissioners who act as casting boats.
(Photo = Yonhap News)