The SAR has the least protection for workers and the weakest social safety net for the jobless of industrialised economies in the North Pacific, a survey has found.
The study examined workers' rights and benefits locally and in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and Canada.
It showed Hong Kong as the only economy that did not have a minimum wage, or unemployment insurance other than welfare payments.
The SAR was the only economy without legal protection for collective bargaining or against forced overtime work, according to the study compiled by union leaders at the North Pacific Trade Union Forum held this week in Hong Kong.
Unlike the other countries, local unions had no legal power to demand companies consult them before sacking workers or cutting salaries. Workers in the SAR also could be forced to work unpaid overtime or risk being fired, with no legal recourse.
Mark Rankin, of the United States' leading labour organisation, the AFL-CIO, said the lack of a truly democratic government was the key reason behind Hong Kong's insufficient labour protection.