Hong Kong ministers defend lawmakers' 'pay rise by stealth'
Ministers support thawing of wage freeze promised earlier by Leung, but timing of announcement raises some lawmakers' eyebrows
As ministers defended Leung Chun-ying's U-turn on a vow to freeze wages paid to him and his cabinet, legislators accused the chief executive of giving himself a de facto pay rise by stealth.
A day after the government issued the press release at 11.06pm on Friday, Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man said the decision to undo the pay freeze was based on the improved economic situation.
He added that pay was not a priority for the cabinet. "When the principal officials gave up their professions and joined the government … we knew we'd have a pay cut," Ko said.
Hong Kong's politicians are among the world's best paid.
The announcement said salaries for the chief executive, politically appointed officials and executive councillors would be restored to their 2009 levels. That means Leung's wages will rise from HK$351,880 a month to HK$371,885, starting next month.
The de facto pay rise would not have to be approved by lawmakers since it is a reinstatement of previous levels, according to the government - although this was questioned by the Civic Party's Kenneth Chan Ka-lok, who argued that Legco should be involved as it was taxpayers' cash.