They criticise employers for preferring staff bonuses to increases in salaries
Labour unions yesterday urged employers to share the fruits of the economic rebound by raising salaries to pre-Sars levels.
They criticised employers' groups for advocating discretionary bonuses instead of pay rises to reward staff, saying that did not offer certainty.
The Federation of Trade Unions said hotels and retailers that had benefited from the implementation of the individual mainland travel scheme should increase employees' salaries by 10 per cent.
It also said Hong Kong's economy was expected to grow by over 6 per cent in the coming financial year, driving up inflation.
'When the economy was in the doldrums, employees suffered a cut in their salaries and benefits. They had to work long hours and their workload kept increasing, but their salaries continued to be reduced,' said federation vice-chairman Chan Yuen-han.
'Although the economy is much better now, their salaries have not returned to the pre-Sars level,' the unionist lawmaker said.