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Following is the transcript (English portion) of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on the statutory minimum wage after attending the Legislative Council meeting today (March 30):
Reporter: What if some workers will receive less after deduction of paid lunch hours?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The whole intention of minimum wage is to protect the interest of our grassroots workers, particularly by providing a wage floor to avoid excessively low wages. That's the whole objective. In the process, if working hours remain unchanged, it's only logical and reasonable for the workers to be paid at least not less, if not more, than before. This is really a common sense situation. So, if any employees feel aggrieved, I would encourage them to come forward to the Labour Department. We will do our best to help them to make sure their interests are not compromised. The whole purpose is to protect the grassroots workers. That's the whole objective. The minimum wage is an entirely new and novel policy in Hong Kong. It takes time for both employers and employees to adjust. That means mutual understanding, frank exchanges and candid exchanges are very important. If the employers are capable, they should take the interest of their employees at heart and treat them well. It's only in their own interest to have well-motivated, high-morale staff. Higher productivity is a win-win situation for everybody. But small employers, and in particular we have got a lot of owners' corporations in pretty old tenement buildings in old districts, may have problems financially. Then, of course, they should talk frankly, communicate frankly on lawful, reasonable grounds with employees. I am sure employees will understand and reach a consensus. The Labour Department will proactively assist any employees who have difficulties. Anyone running into difficulties are welcome to contact us. We stand ready to help. We want to make the minimum wage a real success in Hong Kong for the interest of our grassroots workers.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:35
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