The Hong Kong Labour Market and the General Determination of Wage Movements
8. These factors are examined in paragraphs 33-48 and the report concludes that there are restrictions on the ability of employees to function as "perfect labour market operators owing to limitations on their mobility! In fact the picture
of labour instability in Hong Kong has been greatly overdrawn (para 36) and hence the employees' ability to move from job to job in reward for higher rates of pay. Moreover, there are groups at a particular disadvantage (para 39) primary school leavers, older men and older women who have not formed
a permanent association with a big firm, and recently arrived immigrants from mainland China. The occasions when an intense
shortage of labour in particular sectors under boom conditions
has had a general effect on the Hong Kong labour market are therefore far from being its normal condition (para 40).
-
9. On the other hand, the employers have developed a degree of collective organisation which is considerably more comprehensive than among employees and the "going wage rates", or the typical
annual adjustments to wages take place through a process of "interchange and mutual understanding" (paras 41 47). This
same theme is developed by Professor Hart at parts 9, 11 and 12 of his report at Appendix A. Professor Hart concludes (page xx of Appendix A) "the employers seem perfectly capable of looking after themselves and that part of our terms of reference which
talks about "effective employers' organisations" was thus of academic interest only".
10.
This situation is to the disadvantage of the Hong Kong employee. Whilst real wages may rise there is no guarantee that they will rise equitably with profits (para 48) and the structure of pay-differentials is largely determined by employer practice and requirements. But the major respect in which the system has failed to meet employees' aspirations is in the provision of security.
The Attitudes of Hong Kong Workers
11. If the employees are at a comparative disadvantage, why
has not an active trade union movement developed in Hong Kong?
/The report
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.