Papua New Guinea New Minimum Wage 2025 Determination Announced

Sawang Announces Determination of New National Minimum Wage 2025 Rate

Port Moresby, September 2025 – Kessy Sawang, Minister for Labour and Employment, has revealed that Papua New Guinea’s independent Minimum Wages Board has finalized a new national minimum wage determination. The decision was made public in a media statement dated September 1, 2025, and marks a significant stride toward enhanced social protection as the country approaches its 50th Independence Anniversary.(Post Courier)

A Transparent, Inclusive Process

Minister Sawang emphasized that the process was both transparent and inclusive—complying with legal requirements that prohibit unilateral government decisions on wage policy. The National Tripartite Coordinating Council (NTCC), composed of representatives from unions, employers, and the government, was reconvened to oversee the review.(Post Courier)

Following the NTCC’s endorsement of the Terms of Reference, nominations were invited to form the Minimum Wages Board. The body included two members each from the worker, employer, and government sectors, along with two representatives from youth and church groups. A budget of K5 million supported their work.(Post Courier)

Over 2024 and 2025, the Board conducted public hearings in 20 locations nationwide, gathering input from unions, employers, community groups, and citizens. After carefully evaluating the submissions, the Board reached a consensus on the new rate—endorsed unanimously by its members.(Post Courier)

What’s Next: Lobging, Gazettal, and Enforcement

With the determination now complete, it will be lodged with the Industrial Registrar and, once gazetted, will become enforceable.(Post Courier)

Context: A Long-Overdue Review

This update follows 11 years without a minimum wage adjustment—the previous rate has remained stagnant during a period of escalating living costs.(NBC PNG)

Minister Sawang framed the review not merely as a technical necessity but as a vital pillar of social protection, directly responding to the pressures faced by working families struggling with rising costs of food, housing, transport, and education.(NBC PNG)

A Milestone Ahead of the Golden Jubilee

We’ve taken the liberty to summarise the process in the table below so its easy and simple to follow along as we continue to monitor this important issue until its final deliberations and determination of the outcome.

Aspect	Details
Announcement Date	Statement released September 1, 2025, reported September 2, 2025
Determination By	Independent Minimum Wages Board, under oversight of NTCC
Stakeholders	Workers, employers, government, youth, church
Consultation	Public hearings held in 20 locations across 2024–2025
Funding	K5 million allocated for the review process
Next Steps	Lodged with Industrial Registrar → Gazette → Into force
Significance	First adjustment in 11 years; aligns with PNG’s 50th Independence

Looking ahead, key questions remain

• What is the new hourly minimum wage amount?
• When can workers and employers expect it to take effect?
• How will businesses, especially SMEs, adjust to compliance requirements?

The coming gazettal will provide clarity and set the stage for implementation across all sectors. Let me know if you’d like a follow-up on when the gazettal is published or a breakdown of how this will impact different regions or industries!