Updated at 7.03pm: Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said on Tuesday a voluntary wage protection campaign ? not legislation ? was still the best way to help low-paid workers.
Mr Tsang was speaking at the Hong Kong Business Community Luncheon at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
?Sustainable economic development is not just about how well our businessmen do but also whether we can maintain harmonious labour relations,? he said.
?There has been quite a debate on the subject of a statutory minimum wage,? noted Mr Tsang.
Recently, trade unionists, workers, and some law makers have called for a minimum wage law to be introduced. They argue that many workers in Hong Kong are poorly paid and legislation was needed to raise their living standards.
But opponents argue wage levels are best left to market forces.
?Views within the Labour Advisory Board and different sectors of the community on this issue remain diverse,? said Mr Tsang. ?But discussion cannot go on forever. Despite the diverse views, we need to do something now.?