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The following is issued on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission:
The Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) held its first meeting today (March 7). MWC was briefed on the 2010 Annual Earnings and Hours Survey and the 2009 Annual Survey of Economic Activities as well as major results of the surveys. MWC was also briefed on the Minimum Wage Ordinance to deepen its understanding on the legislative design of the statutory minimum wage (SMW) regime and agreed on the housekeeping arrangements, consensus building and confidentiality in particular, to gear up for discharging its duties.
The MWC Chairperson, Mr Jat Sew-tong, stated that MWC was mainly tasked, as required by the Chief Executive, to report to the Chief Executive in Council its recommendation about the SMW rate. In making its recommendation, 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 implementation of SMW sets a milestone in labour protection in Hong Kong. The work of MWC is important and challenging. I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the Chairperson of the Commission," Mr Jat said
"As the SMW rate would have far-reaching impacts on various sectors of the community, I will work closely with all the members of MWC in an objective, evidence-based and balanced manner by taking full account of various social, economic and employment factors, the empirical findings of surveys and research studies as well as the views of various stakeholders," he added.
MWC is established under the Minimum Wage Ordinance with 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.
Ends/Monday, March 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:28
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