BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority will announce a minimum wage on October 15, the minister of labor said Tuesday.
Ahmad Majdalani declined to reveal figures, but told Ma'an that detailed discussions on monthly, daily and hourly minimum wages had been held for two months. Palestinian labor law regarding internships and probation contracts had also been considered, Majdalani said.
"We are close to reaching an agreement on the minimum wages," he said.
Concerned authorities have responded positively to the decisions reached but the private sector and trade unions have yet to study the proposal, the minister added.
A national committee for wages has agreed that minimum wages should guarantee decent living conditions for workers and their families without causing negative impacts on the economic development of private sector institutions.
Data compiled by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics has been taken into account, as well as international standards, Majdalani said.
The minister of national economy, Jawad al-Naji, said in September that the PA would enact a law setting a minimum wage for workers in both the public and private sectors.
The announcement was one of several measures announced by the PA following a wave of demonstrations across the West Bank protesting the rising cost of living.
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