Since the abolition of the laws on collective bargaining for labour unions by the Provisional Legislative Council after the handover, Hong Kong offers little fundamental employment rights and insufficient protection for workers against various forms of exploitation. The absence of collective bargaining is a huge disgrace to Hong Kong, which is one of the world's major financial centres.
We have survived crises such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic and the financial meltdown, but our workforce still cannot truly share the fruit of economic success.
The economic recovery has brought worsening inflation. That's why we hope the introduction of a minimum wage in Hong Kong can guarantee basic living standards for workers, which is a basic right.
The minimum wage law will be enforced next year and the lowest hourly rate is set at HK$28. But, some employers have tried to nullify the pay rises by cancelling staff benefits.
A case in point was the uproar over the Cafe de Coral pay offer. The fast-food chain had tried to cut meal-time payment for staff to offset their pay increases. If the company had not reversed its decision then a city-wide labour movement could have been started.
Since then, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung has repeatedly urged both employers and employees to resolve their labour disputes through negotiations.
It's true that this is the best way to overcome differences, but a proper balance of power among parties is also necessary for successful negotiations. With no recognition of collective bargaining, workers are powerless and can depend only on the willingness of employers to negotiate.