G.F. 323
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1975 and March 1976. This deceleration probably reflects the lull in
domestic demand in Hong Kong's major trading economies in the second
and third quarters of 1976 in turn affecting Hong Kong manufacturers'
decisions on whether to acquire more labour. On the other hand,
38.
although available statistics do not enable this to be firmly established,
there may be a seasonal pattem in that wage increases tend to take
place particularly at the Chinese New Year thus giving an upward bias
to the March figures.
Tables 37 and 38 /
77.
The increase in wage rates differed within the manufacturing
sector depending on the availability of the particular type of labour
required. Nominal average daily wage rates (including fringe benefits)
paid by the clothing industry increased by 18% between September 1975
and September 1976. In September 1976 the average daily wage paid was
about HK$31. The plastics products industry which usually paid lower
wages had to increase nominal average daily wage rates (including fringe
benefits) by as much as 25% to maintain its labour force and to attract
more workers. On average, a worker in a plastic flower factory received
a daily wage (including fringe benefits) around HK$28 in September 1976,
whereas a worker in a plastic toys factory received around HK$30. The
textile industry which used more skilled workers paid. HK$34 in September
1976, 12 more in money terms than in September 1975.
78.
Wage increases not only differed between industries but also
between manufacturers within the same industry. Large manufacturers,
for example, tend to pay increase wages more slowly when there is a
tight labour market, but they also pay relatively higher wages when
the labour market is slack. This is because large manufacturers, in
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