Hong Kong bus giant KMB announces 4.8 per cent pay rise for staff, but workers’ union slams move as far from demands, threatening protests
- Company says new drivers could take home HK$18,867 or HK$24,500 monthly, factoring in year-end bonus
- But KMB Employees Union accuses operator of negotiating only with workers’ groups it has close ties to
Hong Kong’s largest bus company KMB has introduced a 4.8 per cent pay rise for its 11,700 employees, but a staff union has slammed the move as unsatisfactory and warned of possible protests.
In a statement released on Thursday, KMB said the increment, effective this month, amounted to at least HK$950 extra in the monthly wages of its staff. A 2017 headcount of drivers under the company put the figure at 8,600.
This meant that for a new driver who worked eight to 10 hours a day, taking into account the year-end bonus, his monthly salary could reach HK$18,867 or HK$24,500 respectively, KMB said.
A company spokesman added that the bus giant had been facing rising operational costs due to increased spending on safety enhancements, staff salaries and rising fuel prices.
“The company has formulated this year’s review of staff salaries with greatest sincerity,” he said.
The company has formulated this year’s review of staff salaries with greatest sincerity
He pointed out that the 4.8 per cent rise was made in agreement with several staff unions such as the Motor Transport Workers General Union’s KMB branch, after repeated negotiations.