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In response to media enquiries regarding investigations into the wage levels of workers employed by service contractors of The Link, the Labour Department today (July 15) made the following statement:
The Labour Department (LD) has today embarked on a special campaign to inspect a number of arcades and markets under The Link Management Limited (The Link) to enquire about the wage levels of workers employed by its service contractors since May 1.
Labour Inspectors have today visited 10 arcades and markets, and interviewed 49 workers. So far, no case involving wage payment below the statutory minimum wage (SMW) level has been detected. We will continue with this special campaign in the coming week.
To tie in with the implementation of the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO), Labour Inspectors proactively conduct inspections of establishments of various trades and mount targeted enforcement campaigns for low-paying sectors, with a view to safeguarding the interests of workers. Since the implementation of the MWO on May 1 and up to end of June, Labour Inspectors conducted over 6 400 workplace inspections to enforce the MWO.
Labour Inspectors during inspections will explain to employers and employees the requirements of the MWO and check whether their wages are not less than the SMW level. Should irregularities be detected, they will require employers to take appropriate measures to ensure their compliance with the MWO including prompt payment to employees of any wages falling short of the SMW. For wilful breaches, the LD will take stringent enforcement action.
Employees whose wages paid by employers do not meet the SMW rate may lodge complaints through the LD's complaint hotline (2815 2200). The LD will promptly follow up and investigate all complaints received. If employers and employees have any questions concerning the SMW, they can make enquiries through the LD's 24-hour hotline (2717 1771) or obtain more information at the 10 district offices of the LD's Labour Relations Division. The Minimum Wage Reference Calculator at the LD's homepage (www.labour.gov.hk) and the GovHK website (www.gov.hk) also provides a quick preliminary reference in ascertaining whether wages are up to the SMW level.
Ends/Friday, July 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:36
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