Of even greater concern is the evolution of food prices in recent months, with the FAO food price index of key commodities increasing to near record levels on the back of weather-related shortages in key producer economies. Likewise, minimum wagesb have fallen into neglect in some countries and they are often insufficient to meet workers’ basic daily necessities, including health care. With adjustments in minimum wages lagging behind rising GDP per capita, economic growth has not translated into higher wages, especially in relatively richer countries in South-East Asia and South and South-West Asia (see figure A).