No one happy as Hong Kong minimum wage raised to HK$32.5 today
With minimum hourly rate going up to HK$32.5 today, unionists say it is not enough while experts warn recruitment will remain difficult
The hourly minimum wage goes up from HK$30 to HK$32.5 a day today - and neither employers nor workers are happy.
Businessmen said they are already offering security guards and cleaners way above the statutory minimum wage since it came in place in 2011, but recruitment has become increasingly difficult because workers have become picky in choosing jobs.
Property management fees at residential buildings are expected to go up by about 10 per cent as the extra cost of wages is transferred to the residents.
Meanwhile, unionists said the increase of 2.5 per cent is not enough to offset inflation over the years.
Catherine Yan Sui-han, convenor of the Environmental Services Contractors Alliance, said cleaners are now paid HK$35 to HK$36 an hour on average.
"I expect it to go up to HK$38. If you don't pay more, you can't recruit enough staff," she said. "In districts such as Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, some companies must pay as much as HK$40.
In 2011, Hong Kong implemented its first minimum hourly wage of HK$28 after years of heated debate between unionists and employers. At that time, about 189,000 workers were making HK$28 an hour.