都道府県平均は１円止まり　最低賃金、１６年ぶり低水準―格差縮小へ４０県引き上げ

　厚生労働省が２１日発表した２０２０年度の地域別最低賃金（時給）は、全国加重平均で前年度比１円上昇の９０２円となった。賃金の地域間格差を縮小する機運の高まりを受けて４０県が１～３円引き上げたが、平均では０４年度以来１６年ぶりの１円にとどまった。
　平均は１９年度まで４年連続で２０円台半ばの増額が続いていた。賃上げによる消費活性化を目指す「経済の好循環」実現は遠くなりそうだ。中央最低賃金審議会（厚労相の諮問機関）は新型コロナウイルスによる景気悪化で現行水準の維持が適当とする指針を示していた。（2020/08/21-18:38）

Minimum hourly wages in Japan in fiscal 2020, which started in April, will rise by 1 yen from the previous year to 902 yen on average, the labor ministry said Friday.
   The size of the average increase fell to the lowest level in 16 years, after the average minimum wage grew by over 20 yen annually for four consecutive years until fiscal 2019.
   It is expected to take more time to achieve the country's goal of creating a virtuous economic cycle by raising minimum wages and spurring consumption.
   Minimum wages are the lowest hourly pay that employers must provide to their workers.
   The Central Minimum Wages Council, which advises the labor minister, has recommended keeping minimum wage levels unchanged, citing the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.