Minimum Wage Commission appointed
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     The Government announced today (February 11) the appointments to the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) for a two-year term with effect from March 1, 2011.

     The Chief Executive has appointed Mr Jat Sew-tong, Senior Counsel, as the chairperson of the MWC and 12 members from the labour sector, business community, academia and government.  The chairperson and the nine non-official members are appointed on a personal basis.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomed the appointments.  He said, "The Commission is tasked with the important mission of studying and recommending the statutory minimum wage (SMW) rate.  I am very grateful that the chairperson and members have agreed to serve on the Commission and offer their wise counsel."

     "Mr Jat possesses a distinguished record of community service and proven experience in the work of Government advisory bodies. I am confident that he will successfully steer the MWC under his able leadership," he continued.

     The MWC is established under the Minimum Wage Ordinance with the main function of reporting to the Chief Executive in Council its recommendation on the SMW rate.  In making its recommendation, the MWC will need to maintain an appropriate balance between the objectives of forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs while sustaining Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness.

     The Labour Department will provide secretariat support to the MWC and will arrange for the first meeting of the MWC as soon as practicable.

     Mr Cheung also took the opportunity to reiterate his gratitude to the chairperson of the Provisional Minimum Wage Commission, Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, Senior Counsel, and all members for their sterling contribution and hard work in reaching a consensus in recommending the initial SMW rate.  He said, "With Ms Cheng's leadership and dedicated support of all members, the Provisional Commission laid a solid foundation for the implementation of statutory minimum wage in Hong Kong."

     Among the non-official members of the newly established MWC, Mr Kwong Chi-kin, Mr Lau Chin-shek, Mr Lee Kai-ming and Ms Caroline Mak Sui-king also served on the Provisional Minimum Wage Commission.

The membership list of the MWC is set out below:

Chairperson
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Mr Jat Sew-tong, Senior Counsel

Non-official Members
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Professor Alfred Chan Cheung-ming
Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung
Mr Kwong Chi-kin
Mr Lau Chin-shek
Ms Lau Ka-shi
Mr Lee Kai-ming
Ms Caroline Mak Sui-king
Professor Suen Wing-chuen
Mr Simon Wong Kit-lung

Members who are public officers
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Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism)
Government Economist

Ends/Friday, February 11, 2011
Issued at HKT 10:00

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