3.3-5pc pay rise for most MTR workers

Most of the MTR Corp's 16,000 employees are set to get a pay increase of 3.3 to 5 percent, after salaries were frozen for two years, as well as a bonus equivalent to at least one-and-a-half months - a day after the 2.5 percent wage hike of civil servants was announced.

The railway operator's move came two years after the last increment of 2.1 to 6.3 percent in 2019.

Increase will range from 1.6 percent to 5 percent, depending on staff performance. The new salaries are effective from July 1.

On a scale of one to five, those who received the highest rating will receive a 5 percent pay hike and a bonus equivalent to 2.17 months.

Most of the employees received a satisfactory level of three or above, MTRC said. Those with a score of three will receive a pay rise of 3.3 percent in addition to a bonus worth 1.5 months.

The Hong Kong Federation of Railway Trade Union quoted the MTRC as saying that over half - 55 percent - will receive an increase of 3.3 percent and some 10 percent will get 5 percent.

Federation chairman Lam Wai-keung said his union is "not satisfied." He added: "Salaries have been frozen for two years, and although the pay increase is close to the inflation [figure], it cannot offset the accumulated inflation in the past two years."

He added the MTRC did not recruit new people to cope with the recent opening of new railway lines, which led to increased workload for existing staff.

And the federation will send questionnaires to all its 4,000 members before deciding on its next move.

The Hong Kong Railway Workers General Union and the Federation of Hong Kong Transportation and Logistics Industry Unions, however, said they are satisfied.

"The MTRC giving employees a pay increase will alleviate their financial burden and shows that it recognizes workers' effort and contribution during the pandemic," their statement said.

It also called on the company to formulate a mechanism to increase salaries depending on seniority to retain experienced employees.

The MTRC told The Standard the salary increase was decided after considering the civil servants pay trend survey report, the market environment, business results of the company and employees' contribution.

"The MTRC will also consider special adjustments toward the salary level of individual positions and colleagues for their continuous excellent working performance," a spokesman said.

It added it will reward workers with outstanding contribution with a performance bonus, ex gratia special bonus and a one-off special bonus.

Meanwhile, Junior Police Officers' Association chairman Lam Chi-wai, after meeting with the government yesterday afternoon, said he is "extremely furious" as the salary increase of civil servants deviated from the pay trend survey.

"The pay trend survey report is scientific and credible, so if the government is merely using it as a reference, there is no point putting so much effort and money to conduct it," Lam said. "We are only asking for something stipulated in the mechanism. Does it make us insatiable?"

Secretary for Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan said the 2.5 percent across-the-board rise for 170,000 civil servants could be seen as a "political decision." The decision was prudent,Yeung said on radio, adding that the government has taken into account civil servants' needs and that the chief executive and the Executive Council will listen to views and make a final decision.

On the same program, Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union chairman Fung Chuen-chung said the government's decision was "humiliating and unfair."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com