Poverty and unemployment in Hong Kong have reached a record high, and the national minimum wage has been frozen for the past three years. One political commentator blames the Chinese Communist Party for the current situation.
Contrary to many countries that have raised the minimum wage to counter the negative impact of COVID-19, Hong Kong’s minimum wage rate has remained at HK$37.50 (about $4.80) since May 1, 2019—the lowest among the “Four Asian Tigers”: Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Taiwan’s minimum wage is about $5.70, while South Korea’s is $7.32. Although Singapore does not have a minimum wage, workers get paid at least $10 per hour based on a 44-hour work week, and the minimum monthly salary for mid-level skilled workers is about $1,800, according to the Employment Permit Program for Foreign Prospective Professionals and Technicians.
Hong Kong’s biennial review system means minimum wage workers won’t get a raise until May next year.
On May 31, Hong Kong’s Minimum Wage Commission concluded its public consultation. Many representatives from various work groups called for raising the minimum wage between HK$40 and HK$50 (about $5.10 and $6.40).
Lee Cheuk-yan, a labor movement leader sentenced to prison for participating in an unauthorized rally, called to raise the minimum wage to at least HK$50 and to shorten the review period from two years to one year.
However, Law Chi-kwong, secretary for Labor and Welfare, rejected Lee’s...
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