Guidelines for wages cautioned

Despite signs of economic recovery, millions of workers face wage cuts and freezes under new salary guidelines.

Experts, however, have warned that the guidelines - which are not mandatory but are an important reference point for employers - could have a significant impact on domestic consumption, and could widen the gap between rich and poor.

Guangdong province became the first in the country to set the minimum salary increase at 0, or negative, this year.