Minimum wages in Guangdong province will be raised 19.1 percent on average from May 1.

Minimum wages in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, will rise 19.2 percent to 1,550 yuan ($249) a month and 15 yuan per hour, the provincial department of human resources and social security said on Feb 5.

Minimum wages in second-tier cities such as Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan and Zhongshan will rise to 1,310 yuan a month and 12.5 yuan per hour.

A three months’ buffer period will be set to allow businesses to adjust their budgets.