************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission:
In response to media reports today (April 3) saying that the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) has recommended the statutory minimum wage (SMW) rate be increased to a level ranging from at least $29 to $35, the MWC would like to make the following clarification:
The MWC commenced an eight-week public consultation starting yesterday and listed on its website different SMW test levels to provide information on their potential impact for public reference. Since the SMW level of $35 was the highest rate proposed by labour unions at consultation meetings with the MWC in the fourth quarter of 2011, estimations at the SMW test levels ranging from $29 to $35 are included in the supplementary statistical data.
As clearly explained in the relevant document uploaded on the website, the estimations based on different SMW test levels are set out solely to enhance the transparency of the MWC's work progress and to invite public views on the SMW rate, instead of recommending an adjustment of the SMW rate. The MWC reiterates that it does not have any stance on the SMW rate at this juncture. The MWC will consider all the factors (including the views expressed by different sectors of the community on the subject) before recommending whether the existing SMW rate should be maintained or adjusted.
Adopting an evidence-based approach, the MWC will deliberate the SMW rate in a comprehensive, objective and prudent manner. With the release of the post-SMW implementation wage distribution data by the Census and Statistics Department, the MWC needs to conduct comprehensive and prudent deliberation and analyses based on the wage distribution data as well as the findings of other studies. We will also conduct extensive consultation so that the views and concerns of the community on the SMW rate can be taken into full account.
Ends/Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:44
NNNN
