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Taskforce call over low wages

Louis Won

THE Confederation of Trade Unions says a special taskforce involving the Government, employers and employees should be formed to study the introduction and levels of minimum wage for different occupations.

The call came after a recent survey by the confederation showed that about 900,000 workers in 27 different trades suffered pay cuts in real terms this year as their wages had risen by less than the level of inflation.

The survey also revealed that packaging workers on daily wages in the printing industry were the hardest hit. Their income had dropped by an average 35 per cent in real terms.

Those on daily wages in the electronic and plastic industries suffered pay cuts of more than 10 per cent, the survey found.

The confederation said workers' incomes could be maintained at reasonable levels if minimum wages were in place.

About 200 members of the Civil Force demonstrated in public housing estates in Sha Tin yesterday.

They called for the introduction of interest-free loans for workers who had been unemployed for more than one month.

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