"Governmental supervision can influence State-owned enterprises' policies on protecting employees, but there is no similar supervision mechanism for the increasing number of private enterprises in China," he told China Daily.

"The government needs to, on the one hand, ensure the functioning of market economy, and to promote a just and harmonious society on the other," he said.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security set China's first regulation on minimum wage on March 1, 2004.

The Regulations on Enterprises' Minimum Wage was made to "ensure the basic needs of workers and their families, to help improve workers' performance and to promote fair competition among enterprises".

One monthly minimum wage was set for full-time workers, and one hourly minimum wage for part-time workers. Provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions are also allowed to set their own minimum wages that are separate from the national standard.