Protesters demanded the government devise policies for a minimum wage, which has been put on the back burner for years, as well as for maximum working hours and other measures to protect the rights of unskilled workers.

More than 1,000 workers, led by unionist lawmakers Lee Fung-ying, Kwong Chi-kin and Wong Kwok-hing, marched to the government offices from Chater Garden Sunday morning.

``The voices of the workers have not been heard by the government, and the government keeps putting off legislating to protect workers' rights and welfare,'' Wong said.

Last October, Census and Statistics Department data showed that the average monthly wage of the lowest paid workers fell 20 percent from HK$4,900 in 1997 to HK$3,900 in 2003.

The protest was followed by another in the afternoon, organised by the pro-democracy Confederation of Trade Unions.

More than 1,000 marchers, headed by lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan, gathered at Victoria Park before proceeding to Central. Marchers said low-wage workers have not benefited from the overall economic recovery and criticized the government's policies for favoring business.

Not only have their wages reduced in real terms, but without the protection of legislation, they are working longer hours, they claim.

The government remains cautious about the minimum wage issue, saying conclusions must not be hastily drawn until a consensus is reached between the government, employees and employers.

Hong Kong's economy is on the rebound and its unemployment rate of 6.1 percent in March was the lowest in more than 30 months. The government sees the labor market improving, with unemployment falling to 5.7 percent in the second quarter of the year.

But while the employment figure has risen to 3.35 million, many new job openings are in the property, amusement, recreational and retail sectors.

Low-skilled workers complain they have been left out in the cold, and labor rights disputes continue to linger and, in recent weeks, have become more pronounced.

The protests come amidst a recent bout of labor disputes over unsettled severance payments to workers, prompted by the closure of several restaurants.

About 60 staff at a 20-year-old restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui are the latest to face an uncertain future and a payments wrangle with the closure of their workplace.

This follows the recent dispute at the Ocean Palace Restaurant and Nightclub, Tsim Sha Tsui, which closed leaving 230 without work.

The incidents have triggered new calls for a review of the wage-protection fund, run by the government to cover unpaid wages to workers on behalf of bankrupt employers. Critics say the fund is abused by employers.