Call to lift minimum wage to $55

The labor sector has called on the government to raise the statutory minimum wage in Hong Kong to HK$55 from HK$40 per hour.

Lawmakers and unionists have proposed 10 measures for this year's Labor Day declaration to address the growing disparity between the rich and the poor.

Lee Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council, said Hong Kong's Gini coefficient, which measures income inequality, is higher than that of other advanced countries or regions.

The minimum wage rate has increased by only HK$12 over the past 12 years, starting from HK$28 in 2011, which is unacceptable, he said.

"The minimum cost of a meal is now HK$55, making it difficult for low-wage workers to afford basic necessities," Lee said.

Lawmaker Kingsley Wong Kwok, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said one-third of Hong Kong's workers earn an hourly wage lower than HK$55 and are unable to make ends meet. He attributed this issue to insufficient economic growth momentum, weak market conditions and the increasing impact of imported labor and talent.

"There's a need for measures to improve wage income growth, strengthen occupational safety and protect workers in new industries, such as food delivery platform workers and freelancers," Wong added.

Legislator Lam Chun-sing criticized the government's approval of schemes to import large numbers of foreign workers, which has contributed to the unemployment rate rising to 3 percent. He urged authorities to prioritize local employment.

Lam also stressed the importance of strengthening occupational safety, particularly in light of recent fatal accidents, and called for the revision of safety guidelines and increased technology adoption by contractors.

marcus.lum@singtaonewscorp.com