The minimum wage is a hot topic globally, with the Swiss looking to potentially overtake Australia at the top of the table. Check out which countries have the world’s highest and lowest minimum wages.
As provinces across the country debate minimum wage increases, all of Canada has a long way to go to catch up with Australia, which currently has the world’s highest minimum wage at $16.88 an hour.
Australia's prime position could change next month if Switzerland votes in favour of the proposed 22 francs (CAD$27.59) per hour in the national referendum on May 18. It makes Ontario's June 1 increase to $11 per hour look like a pittance.
However, only about 10% of Switzerland’s workers actually make minimum wage, with the rest of the population earning more, and polls in April show opinions are split on the issue.
United States President Barack Obama is also pushing to raise the federal minimum wage from US$7.25 to $10.10 per hour (CAD$11.14), but faces opposition from members of Congress.
Hiring the right employees can be difficult at the best of times, but spare a thought for HR people in Uganda - trying to find a star worker with an offer of 1c an hour must be a challenge of epic proportions.
Top 10 highest minimum wages
Top 10 lowest minimum wages
Australia's prime position could change next month if Switzerland votes in favour of the proposed 22 francs (CAD$27.59) per hour in the national referendum on May 18. It makes Ontario's June 1 increase to $11 per hour look like a pittance.
However, only about 10% of Switzerland’s workers actually make minimum wage, with the rest of the population earning more, and polls in April show opinions are split on the issue.
United States President Barack Obama is also pushing to raise the federal minimum wage from US$7.25 to $10.10 per hour (CAD$11.14), but faces opposition from members of Congress.
Hiring the right employees can be difficult at the best of times, but spare a thought for HR people in Uganda - trying to find a star worker with an offer of 1c an hour must be a challenge of epic proportions.
Top 10 highest minimum wages
| Country | Work week (hours) | Minimum hourly wage (US$) |
| Australia | 38 | 16.88 |
| Luxembourg | 40 | 14.24 |
| Monaco | 39 | 12.83 |
| France | 35 | 12.22 |
| Belgium | 38 | 11.69 |
| San Marino | 37.5 | 11.49 |
| New Zealand | 40 | 11.18 |
| Ireland | 39 | 11.09 |
| Netherlands | 40 | 10.99 |
| Canada | 44 | 10.25 |
Top 10 lowest minimum wages
| Country | Work week (hours) | Federally imposed minimum hourly wage (US$) |
| Gambia | 41 | 0.19 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 45 | 0.19 |
| Malawi | 48 | 0.16 |
| Tanzania | 45 | 0.13 |
| Central African Republic | 52 | 0.1 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 40 | 0.1 |
| Bangladesh | 48 | 0.09 |
| Cuba | 44 | 0.05 |
| Sierra Leone | 40 | 0.03 |
| Uganda | 40 | 0.01 |
