HK leader stresses 'reasonable' minimum wage for workers
Source: China Daily Asia
HONG KONG - Hong Kong's leader on Tuesday said the government needs to strike a balance to ensure workers could earn a "reasonable" wage and the level of the minimum wage will not lead to a loss of job opportunities.
More job opportunities will be available if there's an economic growth, John Lee Ka-chiu said, stressing that the formula for the minimum wage should be understandable to everyone.
"The Minimum Wage Commission has submitted a research report (about a review of the minimum wage) to the government," he said when asked about reports that the wage would be reviewed annually, instead of once every two years, and the formula would be adjusted to only allow raising the wage.
The Minimum Wage Commission has submitted a research report (about a review of the minimum wage) to the government ... We will make an announcement as soon as we have made a decision.
John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive
"We will make an announcement as soon as we have made a decision," Lee said while speaking to the media ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting.
On the eve of the Labour Day, he expressed his good wishes for hard-working workers and stressed the government has long attached importance to the labor welfare.
"We will launch the Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme, which was included in the 2023 Policy Address, on July 15 to provide allowances for elderly and middle-aged people, who seek to re-enter the labor market, and unleash the potential labor force," he said regarding reviewing his labor policy over the past year.
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The Employee Retraining Bureau had also been enhancing local trainings and raised training allowances to a minimum of HK$8,000 ($1,022) in February, he added.
Various government departments had also urged relevant sectors to raise awareness about occupational safety and health by inspection and law enforcement and comply with the relevant rules and regulations, the CE said, adding that the Labour Department also regularly reviewed and updated work safety guidelines.
He stressed industrial safety was a collective responsibility of people-in-charge, contractors, stakeholders and frontline workers.
Lee said he would meet and cheer up workers and listen to their views on the Labour Day.
May 1 holiday
Despite the potential poor weather, Lee said various sectors have already rolled out different measures to allow visitors to enjoy a pleasant travel experience with promotions and special services
Asked about the government's preparations for the May 1 firework show, the CE said the weather was unpredictable and the government had been fully prepared.
Despite the potential poor weather, Lee said various sectors have already rolled out different measures to allow visitors to enjoy a pleasant travel experience with promotions and special services.
"The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has organized interdepartmental meetings to ensure there will be sufficient manpower and special arrangements at the boundary control points and the crossing of border control will be smooth," he said.
READ MORE: HK to embrace tourism boom in upcoming Labor Day Golden Week
Some public transport services would increase by 40 percent and the train services to the border control point in Lo Wu would be extended, the CE added.