MWC further invites public views on enhancing Statutory Minimum Wage review mechanism

The following is issued on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission:

     The Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) today (June 5) launched the second-stage consultation to further invite views from the public on enhancing the review mechanism of the Statutory Minimum Wage.

     The MWC completed the first-stage consultation on enhancing the review mechanism on April 24. Taking account of the views received, the MWC would like to listen to the views from the public and stakeholding organisations in a more focused manner through the second-stage consultation. On completion of the second-stage consultation, the MWC will consolidate and deliberate the views received with a view to putting forth recommendation(s) to the Government.

     The consultation document can be downloaded from the MWC's website (www.mwc.org.hk/en/consultation/index.html). The public is welcome to give views by e-form on the MWC's website, email (mwc@labour.gov.hk), fax (2110 3518) or post (Minimum Wage Commission, 1/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central), on or before June 25.

     The Chief Executive (CE) announced in his 2022 Policy Address that the MWC would be invited to study how to enhance the review mechanism, including the review cycle, how to improve efficiency, balancing a host of factors such as the minimum wage level and sustained economic development, and to make proposals to the Government. The CE has exercised the power conferred by the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO) (Cap. 608), and tasked the MWC to conduct the aforesaid study and submit a report on the study to the CE by end-October 2023.
      
     Pursuant to the MWO, the MWC's main function is, when required by the CE to do so, to make recommendation on the Statutory Minimum Wage rate to the CE in Council. In performing its functions, the MWC needs to maintain an appropriate balance between the objectives of forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs, and give due regard to sustaining Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness.