Chief Exec says commission now working on minimum wage issues

A spokesman from the office said the Chief Executive has gathered certain members of the FTU to exchange views on the legislation for minimum wage.

In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office said on Wednesday that the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, hosted a dinner for certain members of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) on Tuesday, during which they exchanged views on the legislation for minimum wage, but the Chief Executive did not say anything on what level the minimum wage rate should be set, or make any allusion to that.

In the meeting, Mr Tsang asked the FTU representatives about the current wage levels of employees in different trades and noted that there had been divergent views on the appropriate level of the minimum wage rate.

“In the upcoming discussion, the community should strive to forge a consensus and agree on a level acceptable to all, thus allowing a "soft landing" for the issue and an early implementation of the minimum wage,” said the spokesman.

But all this is yet to happen when the Provisional Minimum Wage Commission has made its recommendation on the appropriate minimum wage level.

"The Provisional Minimum Wage Commission is now working on the issue. It is expected to submit a recommendation on the appropriate level of the minimum wage to the Government by the end of the summer holiday this year. The Government will study the recommendation carefully," the spokesman said.