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The following is issued on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission:
The Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) will submit to the Chief Executive (CE) in Council its recommendation report on the statutory minimum wage (SMW) rate by the end of October 2012 at the latest. The MWC will review the SMW rate in a comprehensive, objective and impartial manner.
After considering the work and time involved for the Commission to review and report its recommendation on the SMW rate, the CE has acted in accordance with the Minimum Wage Ordinance and required the MWC to submit the recommendation report on or before October 31, 2012.
The MWC adopts an evidence-based approach in deliberating the SMW rate. Apart from making reference to the relevant data in a basket of indicators, it needs to undertake detailed analysis and conduct impact assessment based on wage distribution data and findings of other surveys, and consider views from various sectors of society in order to recommend the appropriate SMW rate.
The MWC is tasked with reporting to the CE in Council its recommendation on the SMW rate. In performing this function, the MWC must have regard to the need to maintain an appropriate balance between the objectives of forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs, as well as the need to sustain Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness.
Ends/Thursday, April 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:56
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