The statutory minimum wage

The growth-indexed national minimum wage sets a statutory minimum hourly rate of pay, subject to the exceptions provided for by law. It protects employees against pay below the applicable threshold.

Understanding pay

Gross pay is the amount before deductions payable by the employee. Net pay is the amount after the relevant deductions. Monthly pay depends, among other things, on working hours: a part-time job does not automatically entitle an employee to the same monthly pay as a full-time job.

A threshold that changes

The SMIC is regularly increased. A collective agreement may provide for a higher minimum, which the employer must observe. Benefits paid by the CAF are separate from wages and do not replace the obligation to pay for work at the applicable minimum rate.