1、 林玳玳林玳玳 北京交通大学北京交通大学 Lin Daidai Beijing Jiaotong University 政府通过最低工资制度把低技能劳动者的工资提政府通过最低工资制度把低技能劳动者的工资提高到市场均衡工资水平之上，从而改善这些劳动者的高到市场均衡工资水平之上，从而改善这些劳动者的收入状况。对于处于经济转型期的中国而言，在劳动收入状况。对于处于经济转型期的中国而言，在劳动力供大于求的情况下，最低工资制度的实施将有利于力供大于求的情况下，最低工资制度的实施将有利于维护劳动者的权益，促进社会的和谐发展。本文讨论维护劳动者的权益，促进社会的和谐发展。本文讨论了经济转型期中国实施最低工资
2、制度的必要性，并对了经济转型期中国实施最低工资制度的必要性，并对中国最低工资制度的现状进行了分析，基于此提出政中国最低工资制度的现状进行了分析，基于此提出政策建议。策建议。The minimum wage is introduced by the government to raise the wage of low-skill workers above the equilibrium wage,and it can improve the income condition of these workers.The minimum wage will help to protect the
3、interests of the employees and promote the harmonious development of society in China during economic transition when labor supply exceeds labor demand.This paper studies the necessity of the minimum wage in China during economic transition,and analyzes the current situation of Chinas minimum wage.F
4、inally some suggestions are given to policy makers on improving the minimum wage.最低工资制度在中国诞生于最低工资制度在中国诞生于19931993年，其初衷是为了年，其初衷是为了“保障保障劳动者个人及其家庭成员的基本生活劳动者个人及其家庭成员的基本生活”。但最低工资制度的实。但最低工资制度的实施却招致了部分学者的批评，这些学者（张五常，施却招致了部分学者的批评，这些学者（张五常，20002000；林行；林行止，止，20022002；薛兆丰，；薛兆丰，20042004）认为最低工资制度会使得低技能工）认为最低工资制度
5、会使得低技能工人找不到工作，并不能真正提高他们的收入。经济转型中国是人找不到工作，并不能真正提高他们的收入。经济转型中国是否有实施最低工资制度的必要呢？否有实施最低工资制度的必要呢？The minimum wage to secure the basic life of workers The minimum wage to secure the basic life of workers and their families was introduced in China in 1993.and their families was introduced in China in 1993.H
6、owever,many scholars(Zhang,2000;Lin,2002;Xue,2004)However,many scholars(Zhang,2000;Lin,2002;Xue,2004)criticized it because they considered the minimum wage criticized it because they considered the minimum wage would cause employment losses of low-skilled workers would cause employment losses of low
7、-skilled workers but not increase their income.Is the minimum wage but not increase their income.Is the minimum wage necessary for China during economic transition?necessary for China during economic transition?在计划经济向市场经济转型的过程中，雇主在工资决定在计划经济向市场经济转型的过程中，雇主在工资决定中拥有了更大的自主权。市场经济的本质决定了劳资双方的中拥有了更大的自主权。市场经济
8、的本质决定了劳资双方的力量存在差距，雇主凭借着对资本的所有权决定着企业内部力量存在差距，雇主凭借着对资本的所有权决定着企业内部的收入分配规则。的收入分配规则。During the economic transition,employers have During the economic transition,employers have more freedom in wage decision.Employers who more freedom in wage decision.Employers who possesspossesscapital decide the rule of
9、wage distribution in capital decide the rule of wage distribution in enterprises because of the strength disparity between enterprises because of the strength disparity between employers and employeesemployers and employees，which is determined by the which is determined by the essence of market econ
10、omy.essence of market economy.The minimum wage and securing workers right 在中国目前劳动力供过于求的情况下，底层劳动者所获得在中国目前劳动力供过于求的情况下，底层劳动者所获得的报酬有可能不足以维持其自身和所赡养家属基本生存的需要，的报酬有可能不足以维持其自身和所赡养家属基本生存的需要，政府有必要采取某种形式的保障政策对劳动者获取合理劳动报政府有必要采取某种形式的保障政策对劳动者获取合理劳动报酬的权益给予保护。酬的权益给予保护。Low-skill workers may earn inferior wage which L
11、ow-skill workers may earn inferior wage which cannot afford minimum subsistence of themselves and cannot afford minimum subsistence of themselves and their families in China when the labor supply exceeds their families in China when the labor supply exceeds labor demand,and the government needs to p
12、rotect the labor demand,and the government needs to protect the right of employees to get reasonable wage through some right of employees to get reasonable wage through some policies.policies.The minimum wage and securing workers right 中国目前的集体谈判制度还很不完善，不能从根本上起到保中国目前的集体谈判制度还很不完善，不能从根本上起到保障劳动者权益的作用。经济
13、转型期中国劳动力市场的现状决定了障劳动者权益的作用。经济转型期中国劳动力市场的现状决定了政府有必要采取最低工资立法的形式对收入分配进行调整，以保政府有必要采取最低工资立法的形式对收入分配进行调整，以保护劳动者的权益。护劳动者的权益。The collective bargain which needs improvement can The collective bargain which needs improvement can not secure the rights of laborers.The current not secure the rights of laborers.Th
14、e current situation of Chinas labor market determines the situation of Chinas labor market determines the government needs to enforce a legal minimum wage to government needs to enforce a legal minimum wage to protect laborers interests.protect laborers interests.The minimum wage and securing worker
15、s right 按照传统经济学理论，在完全竞争劳动力市场中，当最低工按照传统经济学理论，在完全竞争劳动力市场中，当最低工资制度施行后，劳动力的价格被强制地提高到其均衡水平之上，资制度施行后，劳动力的价格被强制地提高到其均衡水平之上，这将导致那些低技能工人就业可能性的降低。这将导致那些低技能工人就业可能性的降低。According to traditional economic theory,when the According to traditional economic theory,when the minimum wage is introduced in a perfectly co
16、mpetitive minimum wage is introduced in a perfectly competitive market,the wage is raised above the equilibrium wage,market,the wage is raised above the equilibrium wage,which will reduce the probability of low-skill workers which will reduce the probability of low-skill workers to be employed.to be
17、 employed.The minimum wage and employment 但现实中完全竞争的劳动力市场几乎是不存在的，垄断力但现实中完全竞争的劳动力市场几乎是不存在的，垄断力量和摩擦（量和摩擦（matching frictionsmatching frictions）的存在使劳动力市场偏离了）的存在使劳动力市场偏离了完全竞争状态。在存在劳动力市场买方垄断时，最低工资对企业完全竞争状态。在存在劳动力市场买方垄断时，最低工资对企业的影响会有所不同的影响会有所不同,最低工资标准的提高有可能使垄断企业增加最低工资标准的提高有可能使垄断企业增加雇佣量（雇佣量（Stigler,George J.
18、1946Stigler,George J.1946）。）。However,the perfectly competitive market does not However,the perfectly competitive market does not exist because of monopsony power and matching exist because of monopsony power and matching frictions.In a monopsonyfrictions.In a monopsony situation,the minimum wage sit
19、uation,the minimum wage which influencing firms in another way will make firms which influencing firms in another way will make firms recruit more workers(Stigler,George J.1946).recruit more workers(Stigler,George J.1946).The minimum wage and employment 而在存在摩擦的劳动力市场中，最低工资水平的提高使企业而在存在摩擦的劳动力市场中，最低工资水平
20、的提高使企业提供给劳动者的工资水平相应提高，在一些情况下失业水平会有提供给劳动者的工资水平相应提高，在一些情况下失业水平会有所降低（所降低（BurdettBurdett，KennethKenneth，and Dale T.Mortensen,1989and Dale T.Mortensen,1989）。）。The presence of matching frictions in labor market The presence of matching frictions in labor market will reduce unemployment in some conditions
21、when the will reduce unemployment in some conditions when the minimum wage force firms to raise workers wage.minimum wage force firms to raise workers wage.The minimum wage and employment 在经济转型的过程中，大量剩余劳动力从第一产业释放出来，在经济转型的过程中，大量剩余劳动力从第一产业释放出来，因此有学者认为我国具有无限的劳动力供给，在此情况下政府规因此有学者认为我国具有无限的劳动力供给，在此情况下政府规定最
22、低工资标准只会使下层劳动者找不到工作，无法实现维护低定最低工资标准只会使下层劳动者找不到工作，无法实现维护低收入工人权益的意图。收入工人权益的意图。During the economic transition,a lot of surplus During the economic transition,a lot of surplus laborers transfer from the primary industry,and some laborers transfer from the primary industry,and some scholars argue there exi
23、sts infinite labor supply in scholars argue there exists infinite labor supply in China.Therefore,enforcement of legal minimum wage China.Therefore,enforcement of legal minimum wage leads to more unemployment of low-skill workers.Low-leads to more unemployment of low-skill workers.Low-skill workers
24、right cannot be protected.skill workers right cannot be protected.The minimum wage and employment 但是，事实上，我国目前的劳动力供给并非是无限供给，但是，事实上，我国目前的劳动力供给并非是无限供给，近年来东部沿海地区出现的近年来东部沿海地区出现的“民工荒民工荒”已经证实了这一点。在工已经证实了这一点。在工资偏低的情况下，许多农民工不愿外出工作，因而出现了招工难资偏低的情况下，许多农民工不愿外出工作，因而出现了招工难的问题。这说明，只有提高工资，才会吸引更多的劳动力，政府的问题。这说明，只有提高工资
25、，才会吸引更多的劳动力，政府有必要通过最低工资立法等手段对企业进行引导。有必要通过最低工资立法等手段对企业进行引导。In fact,labor supply is not infinite at present,In fact,labor supply is not infinite at present,which is proved by”shortage of the migrant labor”in which is proved by”shortage of the migrant labor”in south-east coastal areas.Many migrant labo
26、rs are south-east coastal areas.Many migrant labors are reluctant to work far from home because of low wage.reluctant to work far from home because of low wage.Thus it is necessary for the government to enact Thus it is necessary for the government to enact relevant laws to instruct firms practice.r
27、elevant laws to instruct firms practice.The minimum wage and employment 在经济转型的过程中，我国居民的收入差距不断拉大，基尼在经济转型的过程中，我国居民的收入差距不断拉大，基尼系数迅速攀升。根据国家统计局测算，系数迅速攀升。根据国家统计局测算，19901990年我国的基尼系数是年我国的基尼系数是0.3430.343，19951995年是年是0.3890.389，20002000年是年是0.4170.417。目前中国基尼系数虽。目前中国基尼系数虽然存在不同版本，但共识是已达到或超过然存在不同版本，但共识是已达到或超过0.45
28、0.45。我国收入差距过。我国收入差距过大的事实已经威胁到社会和谐，而造成这一现状的原因之一就是大的事实已经威胁到社会和谐，而造成这一现状的原因之一就是底层劳动者的收入尤其是广大农民工的收入长期维持在很低的水底层劳动者的收入尤其是广大农民工的收入长期维持在很低的水平上。平上。The income discrepancy become dramatic,and Gini The income discrepancy become dramatic,and Gini Coefficient rockets during economic transition.Coefficient rockets
29、 during economic transition.According to National Statistical Bureau,Chinas Gini According to National Statistical Bureau,Chinas Gini Coefficient was 0.343 in 1990,0.389 in 1995,and 0.417 Coefficient was 0.343 in 1990,0.389 in 1995,and 0.417 in 2000.Scholars have different viewpoints on Gini in 2000
30、.Scholars have different viewpoints on Gini Coefficient,but they agree that GiniCoefficient,but they agree that Gini Coefficient has Coefficient has reached or exceeded 0.45.The income of low-skill reached or exceeded 0.45.The income of low-skill workers especially peasant workers maintaining in a l
31、ow workers especially peasant workers maintaining in a low degree for long term is one of major reasons.degree for long term is one of major reasons.The minimum wage and fair income distribution 我国目前有数以亿记的农民工进城打工，大部分农民工的工我国目前有数以亿记的农民工进城打工，大部分农民工的工资水平偏低。广东是农民工流入的大省，据广东团省委资水平偏低。广东是农民工流入的大省，据广东团省委20022
32、002年的年的调查显示，有调查显示，有53.3%53.3%的农民工的月收入在的农民工的月收入在400400500500元之间。过去元之间。过去1010年广东经济持续增长，外来青年民工对广东省年广东经济持续增长，外来青年民工对广东省GDPGDP增长的贡献增长的贡献率高达率高达25%25%以上，但以上，但1010年间广东农民工工资才增长了年间广东农民工工资才增长了6060多元钱，多元钱，扣除物价上涨因素，实际上工资是下降的。扣除物价上涨因素，实际上工资是下降的。There are hundreds of millions peasant workers There are hundreds of
33、millions peasant workers moving into cities,and most of them earn low wages.moving into cities,and most of them earn low wages.Guangdong Province is one of the biggest regions Guangdong Province is one of the biggest regions attracting migrant laborers.Statistics show that 53.3%attracting migrant la
34、borers.Statistics show that 53.3%migrant laborers monthly income is 400migrant laborers monthly income is 400500 RMB.500 RMB.Migrant laborers contribution to Guangdong Migrant laborers contribution to Guangdong Provinces GDP accounts for 25%in the last 10 years.Provinces GDP accounts for 25%in the l
35、ast 10 years.On the other hand,migrant laborers income just On the other hand,migrant laborers income just increase 60 RMB,and the real income decreases increase 60 RMB,and the real income decreases considering price index.considering price index.The minimum wage and fair income distribution 由于农民工始终
36、处于劳动力市场的底层，施行最低工资保障由于农民工始终处于劳动力市场的底层，施行最低工资保障制度并适当提高最低工资标准将有效提高这部分农民工的收入，制度并适当提高最低工资标准将有效提高这部分农民工的收入，使社会全体成员都能够公平享受经济发展成果，在一定程度上缓使社会全体成员都能够公平享受经济发展成果，在一定程度上缓解我国目前收入分配差距过大的现状。解我国目前收入分配差距过大的现状。Because peasant workers are always in the bottom of Because peasant workers are always in the bottom of the l
37、abor market,the minimum wage will increase their the labor market,the minimum wage will increase their real income.This will make them share the social and real income.This will make them share the social and economic progress,and mitigate the apparent income economic progress,and mitigate the appar
38、ent income discrepancy.discrepancy.The minimum wage and fair income distribution 人力资本投资是一种有支付能力要求的投资，许多劳动者由人力资本投资是一种有支付能力要求的投资，许多劳动者由于无法负担高额教育和专业培训成本，而不得不屈从于低技能职于无法负担高额教育和专业培训成本，而不得不屈从于低技能职业。在经济发展的过程中，对技能的需求不断提升，低技能劳动业。在经济发展的过程中，对技能的需求不断提升，低技能劳动力的工资水平相对于社会平均工资水平来说必然越来越低，他们力的工资水平相对于社会平均工资水平来说必然越来越低，他
39、们的人力资本投资能力必然会越来越低，其人力资本形成变得更加的人力资本投资能力必然会越来越低，其人力资本形成变得更加困难。困难。People need to pay for human capital investment.Many People need to pay for human capital investment.Many workers have to work at low-skill jobs because they workers have to work at low-skill jobs because they cannot afford the expense o
40、f education and training.cannot afford the expense of education and training.Workers are required to have more skill with the Workers are required to have more skill with the development of economic,and low-skill workers wage development of economic,and low-skill workers wage will become much lower
41、compared with the average wage,will become much lower compared with the average wage,which will lessen their ability of human capital which will lessen their ability of human capital investment.investment.The minimum wage and human capital investment 领取最低工资的劳动者很大一部分是进城务工的农民工，低领取最低工资的劳动者很大一部分是进城务工的农民
42、工，低工资使得很多农民工只能勉强维持基本生活，遑论个人和子女的工资使得很多农民工只能勉强维持基本生活，遑论个人和子女的人力资本投资。这会导致这些农民工因为劳动力素质一直没有提人力资本投资。这会导致这些农民工因为劳动力素质一直没有提升在无法承担繁重的体力劳动时而再次回到农村，而他们的子女升在无法承担繁重的体力劳动时而再次回到农村，而他们的子女也会因为人力资本投资不足走上父辈的老路。通过提高最低工资也会因为人力资本投资不足走上父辈的老路。通过提高最低工资标准提高这部分低收入人群的人力资本投资能力，是帮助他们摆标准提高这部分低收入人群的人力资本投资能力，是帮助他们摆脱贫困的重要途径，也是构建和谐社会
43、的一个重要方面。脱贫困的重要途径，也是构建和谐社会的一个重要方面。Most of workers who earn the minimum wage are peasant Most of workers who earn the minimum wage are peasant workers.Many of them can just maintain basic life,but workers.Many of them can just maintain basic life,but cannot afford human capital investment of themselve
44、s and cannot afford human capital investment of themselves and their children because their wage is rather low.These their children because their wage is rather low.These peasant workers will go back to their home when they peasant workers will go back to their home when they cannot assume heavy wor
45、kload and their children will cannot assume heavy workload and their children will have the same fate.Increasing the minimum wage will have the same fate.Increasing the minimum wage will improve their ability to invest in human capital,and improve their ability to invest in human capital,and help th
46、em shake off poverty.help them shake off poverty.The minimum wage and human capital investment 本文选取本文选取1994199420042004年各省市最低工资标准与职工月平均工年各省市最低工资标准与职工月平均工资的数据，对这一期间最低工资与平均工资的增长率和两者的比资的数据，对这一期间最低工资与平均工资的增长率和两者的比值数据进行了分析。从图值数据进行了分析。从图1 1中可知，中可知，1994199420042004十年间我国各省市十年间我国各省市最低工资的增长率均低于平均工资的增长率。这就导致了与
47、最低工资的增长率均低于平均工资的增长率。这就导致了与19941994年的情况相比，年的情况相比，20042004年全部省市的最低工资与平均工资比值均有年全部省市的最低工资与平均工资比值均有不同程度的下降，如图不同程度的下降，如图2 2所示。所示。This paper analyzes the minimum wage and average wages This paper analyzes the minimum wage and average wages in China from 1994 to 2004.Figure 1 shows the growth in China from
48、1994 to 2004.Figure 1 shows the growth rate of minimum wages is lower than that of average wages rate of minimum wages is lower than that of average wages in different regionsin different regions,and Figure 2 presents the ratio of,and Figure 2 presents the ratio of minimum wages to average wages in
49、1994 and 2004,which minimum wages to average wages in 1994 and 2004,which dropped a lot.dropped a lot.The minimum wage and average wages The minimum wage and average wages 图图1 19941 199420042004年各省市最低工资与平均工资年均增长率年各省市最低工资与平均工资年均增长率Figure 1 Average growth rate of minimum wages and Figure 1 Average gro
50、wth rate of minimum wages and average wages in different regions from 1994 to 2004average wages in different regions from 1994 to 2004The minimum wage and average wages 图图2 19942 1994、20042004年各省市最低工资与平均工资比重年各省市最低工资与平均工资比重 Figure 2 Ratio of minimum wages to average wages in Figure 2 Ratio of minimum
