Tsang 'more willing to bend on labour policy'
Union chief says the chief executive's view on a minimum wage law has changed
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has made a breakthrough in his labour policy by accepting that legislation for a minimum wage, as advocated by labour unions, may be possible in Hong Kong, the head of the 300,000-strong Federation of Trade Unions said yesterday.
Wong Kwok-kin, whose FTU is the key supporter of Beijing and holds 37 seats on the 800-member Election Committee, said he had noticed a change in the chief executive's view on the issue since Mr Tsang took up the post last year.
His comments came amid continuing concerns over whether Mr Tsang, who worked for the colonial government for more than 30 years, could win the support of the Beijing loyalists for his re-election.
'When I first discussed with Mr Tsang some labour issues such as the minimum wage [legislation], he couldn't accept any of them,' Mr Wong said. 'In fact, he said clearly that he didn't believe in this line of thought,' he said, referring to a time shortly after Mr Tsang's appointment as chief executive.
In October, Mr Tsang announced the introduction of a voluntary 'wage protection movement' for cleaners and security guards and a comprehensive review of the policy in two years' time. If this movement 'failed to yield satisfactory results, we will set out to prepare the introduction of legislation for a minimum wage' in these two sectors, he told the legislature.
Mr Wong said that during a meeting with Mr Tsang a few months ago he had sensed a change in his attitude.
'From not believing in this line of thought to acknowledging that it could be a possibility reflects a breakthrough in his mindset. It also shows that his labour policy has taken a step forward.'
Asked if the FTU's Election Committee members would vote for Mr Tsang during the chief executive election in March, Mr Wong said their votes depended on four criteria.
The candidate should love the country and Hong Kong, enjoy the central government's trust and successfully implement the 'one country, two systems' principle, enhance the city's economic development and care about labour issues.
While Mr Tsang satisfied the first three criteria, Mr Wong, who is a delegate to the National People's Congress, said he should work harder for the city's labour force.
Asked whether Civic Party chief executive hopeful Alan Leong Kah-kit satisfied the FTU's four criteria, Mr Wong said it was hard to give an assessment. 'So far, Mr Leong has not contacted us or sent us his election platforms,' he said.
In response, Mr Leong said: 'I've just started to send letters to and phone [all the Election Committee members]. I will try my best to contact them as soon as possible.'
Wong Sau-ching, chairman of the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Island Federation, said Mr Tsang had made achievements in different areas, especially the economy.
