Government will review decision over overtime wages for Hong Kong’s low-paid, says labour chief
Former administration proposed change in June, but minister says he hopes to review it before it goes to Legco
The welfare and labour minister said the government would review the previous administration’s decision on overtime wages for the low-paid, but added that the chance to reopen the public discussion in a short period of time is slim.
Law Chi-kwong said his department would also look into the issue of some of the city’s poorest having to negotiate terms with their bosses, which unions highlighted as a consequence of the standard working hours policy.
Speaking on a radio show on Saturday morning, Law said he would exercise caution on the issue, given the wide implications of a changing labour market.
“Even though the previous administration had done a lot of consultation, there was little consensus especially from the labour sector,” Law said. “Yet the impact that standard working hours will bring to the system is even bigger than the minimum wage introduced in 2011.”
“I hope everyone can consider livelihood issues from the point of view of the people’s rice bowls and the greater good of the community,” he said.