Legislator calls for minimum wage increase

Unionist legislator Lam Chun-sing on Wednesday called on the government to increase the minimum wage by at least the rate of inflation, pointing out that it’s been years since it was adjusted.

The Minimum Wage Committee is to start a six-week consultation on the issue from April 20, before submitting its recommendation to the government by the end of October.

The current minimum wage is set at HK$37.50. Last year, it was frozen for the first time since its implementation in 2011, because of the Covid pandemic.

Lam, from the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions, said the minimum wage was last increased in 2019 and the purchasing power of grassroots workers has since been eroded.

“Although Hong Kong is still in the midst of the pandemic and faces an economic downturn, there was still some inflation in the past few years, such as rent, food prices and other basic necessities,” he said.

“If we do not adjust the minimum wage level, they can’t maintain their purchasing power and living standard. It’s difficult for them to make a living.”

The legislator dismissed concerns that an increase in the minimum wage would adversely affect many companies, saying government statistics show only around 15,000 workers earn the minimum wage.

“We understand that [the companies] face many difficulties under the pandemic, but if it stabilises more companies can operate their business, they can use higher wages to hire workers,” Lam said.