As prices continue to rise, the real wage per worker in February this year decreased by 2.6% compared to the same month last year, marking the 11th consecutive month of negative growth.
According to the preliminary figures of the “Monthly Labor Statistics Survey” conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for more than 30,000 business establishments with 5 or more employees, the real wage in February this year reflected the change in prices. It decreased by 2.6% compared to the month.
The total cash salary per worker, including basic salary and overtime pay, averaged 271,851 yen, an increase of 1.1% compared to February last year. It has been negative for 11 consecutive months.
On the other hand, the government’s measures to reduce the burden on electricity have curtailed the rise in electricity costs and the rate of inflation has slowed down, so the rate of decline in real wages has narrowed compared to January, when it was minus 4.1%.
Regarding the future, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, “This year, there is an unprecedented wage increase in the spring labor struggle, so we would like to pay attention to how it will affect us.”