Minimum wage increase approved: New rate set at HK$42.1 per hour

The Chief Executive in Council has approved an increase in the statutory minimum wage from the current HK$40 per hour to HK$42.1, marking a rise of HK$2.1 or 5.25 percent.

The government said that it has adopted the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) regarding this change, with plans to publish the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 in the gazette this Friday. 

The bill is scheduled to be tabled in the Legislative Council on February 26. Once approved by lawmakers, the new minimum wage rate will take effect on May 1.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han expressed his satisfaction with the commission’s efficient completion of its mission to review the statutory minimum wage rate. 

He noted that the MWC's recommendation aligns with the policy objectives of maintaining a balance between preventing excessively low wages and minimizing the loss of low-paid jobs, while also considering the need to sustain Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness.

Chairwoman of the commission, Priscilla Wong Pui-sze, said that the MWC utilized a formula approved by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to determine the recommended minimum wage rate. 

During the review process, the MWC thoroughly examined the implementation arrangements for the formula, analyzed the latest data on key indicators, and assessed the potential impacts of the proposed changes.

(Wallis Wang)