Hong Kong Policy Review

Minimum Wage

The story begins when……

Plastic

Flower!!

Little knowledge = $

Knowledge = $$

More knowledge = $$$$$

= increase in labour cost

Transition of Transition of HK Major HK Major IndustriesIndustries

Labour supplyLabour supply

PLUS

Labour supply

Labour supply

Abrupt Labour Abrupt Labour SupplySupply

Environmental Environmental FactorsFactors

SALE

Working poorWorking poor

We need a secured paid!!

What is minimum wage?

Legal lowest limit of wageTo ensure labour are remunerated

with appropriate compensation

How to calculate the min. wage?

Household expenditure x Household expenditure x ____________inflation/deflation______inflation/deflation______44 Working hours (per week)44 Working hours (per week)

With reference of With reference of CSSA……CSSA……HK’s min. wage isHK’s min. wage is……$33-$33-

3535

Pros of min. wage

More protection for labourBetter remunerationSecured job

True?True?

Min. wage: Domestic helper

$2,000$2,000

$4,500$4,500

5 Elements of Competitiveness

1. Academic qualification2. Skills3. Experience4. Age (physical condition)5. Expected salary

Cons of min. wage

Low Academic qualification Workers

&Low Skills Workers

1. Academic qualification

2. Skills

3. Experience

4. Age (physical condition)

5. Expected salary

After Minimum Wage

Cons of min. wage

The needy would be laid off first

Cons of min. wage (con’t)

Illegal workers

Suggestion

Identify those without skill and academic background

Upgrade themProvide training

Suggestion (con’t)

Work with enterprisesCreate new type of work

create work opportunity

After all……

Min. wage can ensure a certain amount of remuneration. However it cannot secure the needy a job.

Only when work opportunity increases and the needy is well-equipped for new career, working poor can be solved.