22 July, 2025According to the agreement reached at a tripartite meeting held last week, minimum wage for workers in Nepal has been increased by thirteen per cent and set at NPR 19,550 (US$141) per month. The revised minimum wage comes into force from 15 July which marks the beginning of new financial year in the country.
According to Nepal’s labour law, the minimum wage is fixed every two years. Before this, the minimum monthly wage was NPR 17,300 (US$125) which was set in 2023.
Unlike the minimum wage fixing process that unfolded in 2023, this time trade unions were included in the negotiation process from the start. Although unions’ joint demand was to set the minimum wage at NPR 30,443 (US$220), but the revised wage was agreed to by all members of the tripartite group including trade unions.
The revised minimum wage applies to all workers except those employed at estate and tea gardens. As per the tripartite agreement, minimum daily wage has been set at NPR 754 (US$5) and minimum hourly wage at NPR 101 (US$0.7). For part-time workers, the minimum wage per hour will be NPR 107 (US$0.8).
Anand Thami, secretary of IndustriALL Nepal council, says:
“We are very pleased that this time the government upheld tripartism in fixing the minimum wages and that voices from trade unions were included. Trade unions must brace themselves now to see that the revised minimum wage is strictly implemented.”
Last month, IndustriALL conducted a meeting on living wage with affiliates in Nepal in which a range of topics were covered, including the concept of living wage and the findings of research conducted by unions in the country regarding the appropriate living wage in Nepal.
IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, Ashutosh Bhattacharya, says:
“We congratulate our affiliates in Nepal for pushing for workers’ rights during the minimum wage negotiation process. IndustriALL stands with you in the struggle and our fight for living wage will continue.”
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