Business News
Lowest-paid workers in wealthy Hong Kong work longest hours
May 22, 2010, 6:25 GMT
Hong Kong - Hong Kong's lowest-paid employees spend the longest time at work, according to a survey published Saturday that analysed the wealthy city's rich-poor divide.
Just more than 1 per cent of employees who work 40 hours or less a week earn 20 Hong Kong dollars (2.56 US dollars) or less an hour while 30 per cent of them get 80 Hong Kong dollars or more.
By contrast, of those who work more than 72 hours a week, almost 15 per cent earn 20 Hong Kong dollars or less and hour while 4.5 per cent earn 80 Hong Kong dollars or more.
The survey by the government's Census and Statistics Department, published in Saturday's South China Morning Post, was released amid a debate over a proposed minimum wage.
Unions want a minimum wage of 33 Hong Kong dollars an hour while employer groups want the minimum wage set at 24 Hong Kong dollars.
Currently, there is no minimum wage, and some fast-food restaurant workers earn as little as 19 Hong Kong dollars an hour, surveys have found.
Legislation for a minimum wage was due to be voted on before the end of June.
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