<div id="readability-page-1">Hong Kong’s lowest-paid workers are set to receive a pay rise of HK$1 per hour, from the current HK$42.10 (US$5.40) to HK$43.10, as recommended by the government’s top decision-making body, with the new rate expected to come into force as early as May. The government announced on Tuesday that the Executive Council had adopted the proposal from the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC), which had suggested the 2.38 per cent increase. The amendment will be tabled in the legislature on February 25. Subject to the Legislative Council’s approval, the new rate will take effect on May 1. It is the second adjustment since a new formula for calculating the rate was passed in 2024. Under the first adjustment last year, the statutory minimum wage (SMW) was increased by HK$2.10, from HK$40 to HK$42.10. Commission chairwoman Priscilla Wong Pui-sze said the body had discussed the implementation arrangements for adopting the formula, examined the data for each indicator and assessed the effects. “The MWC believes that the new SMW rate can maintain an appropriate balance between forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs, while giving due regard to sustaining Hong Kong’s economic growth and competitiveness,” she said. Wong said she hoped that the legislature would give the proposal the green light. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han also backed the new formula. “The indicators adopted in the formula are objective and easily comprehensible, which enhances the transparency and predictability of the SMW adjustment, minimises controversy and is conducive to fostering harmonious labour relations,” he said. Under the mechanism, the formula for calculating the wage level each year includes factors such as the consumer price index (A), gross domestic product growth and average GDP growth over the past 10 years. The index reflects changes in the cost of consumer goods and services generally bought by households. Index (A) relates to about 50 per cent of households, which are in the relatively low expenditure range.</div>

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<p>Hong Kong's minimum wage will increase by HK$1 to HK$43.10 per hour, effective May 1, pending Legislative Council approval. This 2.38% rise follows a previous adjustment in 2024. The Minimum Wage Commission believes this new rate balances low wages and job retention while supporting economic growth. The formula for future adjustments considers factors like the consumer price index and GDP growth, aiming for transparency and predictability in wage changes.</p>

- Hong Kong's minimum wage will increase by HKD 1 to HKD 43.10 per hour, following a recommendation by the government’s decision-making body.  
- This 2.38% increase, proposed by the Minimum Wage Commission, is set to take effect on May 1, 2026, pending legislative approval on February 25.  
- The Commission emphasizes that the new standard balances low-wage job retention with economic growth, using clear and objective indicators for annual adjustments.

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Hong Kong’s minimum wage set to rise by HK$1 per hour to HK$43.10