Union calls for 8 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong bus drivers ahead of talks with operators
- Motor Transport Workers General Union says drivers are not fairly rewarded for the working conditions they endure
- Pay rise demanded is in line with inflation, union says
A leading union representing more than 10,000 drivers at Hong Kong’s five franchised bus companies have demanded an 8 per cent pay increase this year, ahead of a series of pay talks with the respective companies.
Unionists said the companies were making profits and that higher pay was needed to attract newcomers to the sector.
Cheung Tsz-kei, spokesman for the Motor Transport Workers General Union, said that bus drivers were not fairly rewarded, citing such poor working conditions as long hours, abusive passengers and infrequent toilet breaks.
Cheung said: “We are trying to be reasonable. Inflation for the whole of 2018 was estimated to be 2.7 per cent already. Given that the starting pay of a bus driver is about HK$16,000 on average, an 8 per cent increase cannot be said to be too much.”
Arguably the most influential union representing land transport workers, the union has more than 30,000 members and 11 affiliate unions representing various trades in the transport sector.
Its affiliate staff unions at KMB, New World First Bus, Citybus, Long Win Bus, and New Lantao Bus represent a total of more than 10,000 drivers, according to Cheung.