Piyopico Supercharged July 14, 2010 Share July 14, 2010 Hong Kong workers demand minimum wage law Posted: 14 July 2010 1740 hrs Photos 1 of 1 Protestors demanding a minimum wage demonstrate outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong HONG KONG : Hundreds of workers in Hong Kong called for a minimum wage law Wednesday as lawmakers debated the controversial issue which has long divided the city's business sector and grassroots labour groups. The protesters, many of whom are paid as little as two or three US dollars an hour, said Hong Kong's policymakers and business sector have sacrificed them in the name of competitiveness and preserving the city's free economy. "We are workers! We are not slaves!" a group of Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers chanted outside Hong Kong's legislature building as lawmakers began the debate on the minimum wage bill. "Ironically, Hong Kong is now discussing the road to democracy. But how can there be democracy if workers' interests continue to be attacked by the big businesses?" said Eni Lestari, of the Asian Migrants' Coordinating Body. Labour rights groups have pushed for the minimum wage to be fixed at 33 Hong Kong dollars (4.2 US dollars) an hour, saying anything less would not cover basic expenses with living costs having risen sharply in recent months. But the proposal faced strong opposition from some of Hong Kong's largest employers. Michael Chan, chairman of giant fast-food chain Cafe de Coral -- who was ranked by Forbes magazine as the 35th richest man in Hong Kong in 2009 -- has said his group might issue a profit warning if the proposed hourly rate became law. Chan's comments have intensified anger among the unions, which have demanded that he quit the Provisional Minimum Wage Commission, a government-appointed body tasked to set the minimum wage once the bill is passed. Peter Tsoi, a security guard who works more than 12 hours a day, said he had to apply for welfare because he was only paid three US dollars an hour. "All of my salary is spent on transportation and food," Tsoi told AFP. "It is easy to understand why Hong Kong has one of the world's widest income gaps between the rich and the poor -- the tycoons will only get richer because they are making us work harder and for longer hours while our wages remain unchanged." A survey released this week showed that supermarket giants Park'n Shop and Wellcome, as well convenience stores Circle K and 7-Eleven, paid their workers an average rate of less than three US dollars an hour. - AFP/vm ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piyopico Supercharged July 14, 2010 Author Share July 14, 2010 I am sure our manual workers are paid less here, esp the foreigners. Food for thought........... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjkbeluga 5th Gear July 14, 2010 Share July 14, 2010 May not be a good thing... Boss also not stupid.... Fire 1 person, 2 person share over this fired person's job... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piyopico Supercharged July 14, 2010 Author Share July 14, 2010 But many really make just enough to cover cost of basics. End up cannot save and can never retire. Eventually it is still the state's problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngck 3rd Gear July 14, 2010 Share July 14, 2010 just like what some bros said in the underpaid thread...... they never dream big enough... giving themselves a false ceiling.... just too bad... suck thumb... capitalism at work here.... ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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