Ten Countries with the Lowest Minimum Wage | Nomad CapitalistAccording to International Labour Organization ILO, minimum wage is defined as the minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners for the work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract. This exists in more than 90 percent of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) member States.
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Most countries in Africa had introduced minimum wage legislation by the end of the 20th century. The minimum wage varies from one country to another.
In this post, I will be comparing the minimum wages of some African countries to see which African country has the highest or lowest wage rate. The comparison is done using the international currency, the US dollar
Here are the African countries with the highest minimum wages.
African Countries with Highest Minimum Wage
1. Libya (450 Libyan dinars = $325)
The lowest amount an employer should legally pay the employee is 450 Libyan dinars ($325). Libya has a nation wide minimum wage that all workers must be paid. With the minimum wage of $325, Libya earns our number one position as the African country with the highest minimum wage. More so, the government heavily subsidizes rent and utilities. The workweek in Libya is 40 hours.
2. Morocco (3,000 MAD= $310)
Minimum Wage in Morocco varies between sectors. In the public sector, the minimum wage is $310. It is 2,570.86 MAD ($265) in the private sector and $210 for those in the agricultural sector. The workweek in Morocco is 44 hours. Morocco is the second country in Africa with the highest minimum wage.
3. Seychelles ( SR 4,272 = $304, for non casual workers)
The government mandated minimal wage in Seychelles is SR26.70 ($1.9) per hour for non casual workers and SR30.78 ($2.1) per hour for casual workers. According to minimum-wage.org, Seychelles’ minimum wage was last changed in January 1, 2014. However, the Seychelles government had proposed an increase in minimum wage rate of SR38.27 per hour in January, 2020 for work based on 35 hours a week.
4. Gabon (150,000 CFA francs = $255)
The national minimum wage in Gabon is FCFA 150,000 ($255). There is stiff penalty for employers who fail to pay the minimum wage by the government of Gabon. Also, government workers in Gabon get additional 20,000 CFA francs per child. They also receive transportation, housing, and family benefits. The workweek in Gabon is 40 hours.
5. Mauritius (9,000 rupees=$251.05)
The minimum wage in Mauritius is distinct for two categories of workers. The minimum wage for export workers is 9,000($251.051) Mauritius rupees and 9700 rupees ($270.57) for non export workers. Additional benefits are also available, distinct for both group of workers. Workweek in Mauritius is 45 hours.
6. Equatorial Guinea (129,035 CFA France $224).
Located in the central African region Equitorial Guinea’s minimum wage is 129,035 CFA France ($224). The work week hour is 48.
7. Republic of the Congo (90,000 CFA France =$170)
Ranked 7th in our list, the country’s minimum wage rate is 90,000 CFA France ($170), one of the highest in Africa. The country’s workweek hour is 40.
8. Cape Verde – $160
Cape Verde is among the countries with the highest minimum wage in Africa. The country’s prime minister recently announced the increased of workers minimum wage from 13,000 escudos to 15,000 escudos ($160).
9. Algeria (20,000 Algeria dinars=$156.19)
Located in the Northern Africa region, the country’s minimum wage is 20,000 Algeria dinar ($156.19), making it one of the highest in the continent. The country’s workweek is 40.
10 Tunisia (340 Tunisia dinars=$140).
Tunisia’s minimum wage varies with the workweek. For a 48 hours work week, the minimum wage is 340 Tunisia dinars ($140) and 290 dinars ($120) for 40 a hours workweek. In the agricultural sector, wage rate is between 9 dinars ($3.70) to 14 dinars ($5.7) per day.
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