Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan President, annouced an increase in the minimum wage of 26.5%.  Food ticket benefits will now also apply to formal workers.

The Kenyan Labour Minister has announced a 12.5% increase in the basic minimum wage for all workers in the country.

For the first time in a decade, the minimum wage in British Columbia has been increased.

HMRC have published new advisory fuel rates to be used from 1st March 2011. This is due to the rapid increases in petrol prices.

The States of Jersey have made amendments to the Minimum Wage Regulations from the 1st of April 2011.

The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for Northern Ireland has announced proposed changes to pay for agricultural workers.

The Irish Government has decided to reduce the Universal Social Charge being paid by Medical Card holders.

The changes in income tax thresholds in April 2011 may hide an unpleasant surprise for anyone in receipt of taxable benefits who are just on the margins.

The Romanian Government, in an attempt in resist growing pressure to increase its 16% flat rate of income tax, has suffered interesting protests at the latest changes to legislation.

The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2010 came into force with effect for pay periods starting on or after 1 January 2011 and will mean that travelling and subsistence expenses eligible for tax relief under section 338 Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 will overall not count when calculating national minimum wage (NMW) pay.