TNAG-0434-FCO40-499-UK-interest-in-labour-and-social-affairs-of-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 68

WAGE STRUCTURE

There is no legal minimum wage in Hong Kong and the wage level obtaining is essentially the result of an interplay of the economic forces of supply and demand. Wages are usually calculated on hourly, daily or monthly basis, or on piece rates. Monthly-rated industrial workers are usually employed in supervisory capacities. Daily and monthly rates of pay for men are generally slightly higher than those for women, but no difference is made in respect of piece-rated workers.

Many workers receive additional benefits such as free medical treat- ment, subsidised meals, good attendance bonus, paid rest-days, and subsidised transport to and from work. In many industries, a lunar new year bonus, equivalent to one month's extra pay, is customary although in certain cases the amount paid may be considerably more or slightly less. Some industries provide, in addition, free or subsidised accommodation.

The range of daily wages for the manufacturing industries in March 1974 was:-

skilled

HK$16.10

to

HK$57.26

(US$3.17)

(US$11.27)

(£1.36)

(£4.85)

semi-skilled

HK$12.20

to

HK$39.30

(US$2.40)

(US$7.74)

(£1.03)

(£3.33)

unskilled

HK$11.70

to

HK$27.00

(US$2.30)

(£0.99)

(US$5.31)

(£2.29)

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