Minimum wage adds up on calculator

A calculator is now available to help employers and employees accurately compute the minimum hourly wage in the SAR.

The simple tool, which can be downloaded from the Labour Department website, will work out the minimum wage and compare it with those being paid to see if the requirement is being met.

Chief labor officer Charles Hui Pak-kwan said after basic information has been entered, such as working hours and the required wages, and pressing a button, the system will crank out the minimum wage for the month.

In order to help employers know whether wages paid meet the requirement, the system may request additional information such as rest days and meal breaks.

Employers will also be told whether they need to pay additional remuneration and, if so, how much.

"We hope that with the calculator, employers and employees will have a quick and easy way to work out the minimum wage and ascertain whether their wages meet the requirement," said Hui, adding it can also calculate the income of employees who rely on commissions.

Hui denied claims the calculator will only lead to more disputes.

"Arguments arise from a misunderstanding of calculating the minimum wage. We hope these disputes can be reduced through this calculator."

Hui said the department has so far received three minimum wage-related complaints.

In addition, it has conducted 1,600 checks and received about 20 complaints during those.

He said since it is not yet the end of the month, it is difficult to determine whether wage breaches have been minimal or widespread.