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■勞工團體要求最低工資的水平應該接近時薪33元。資料圖片
臨時最低工資委員會早前已就最低工資水平達成共識，消息透露，首個最低工資為時薪28元。落實最低工資，關鍵在於勞資雙方能否遵循互諒互讓的原則，並尊重釐定最低工資的機制，接納協商結果。在現時勞資雙方面對時薪28元的最低工資水平都趨向理性妥協的情況下，任何一方都切忌以過激言論和手段表達訴求，避免最低工資的落實節外生枝。
若最低工資水平定在時薪28元左右，與勞工界爭取的33元及工商界希望的22至25元相比，雖說已屬中間落墨，但與勞資雙方的要求均存在落差。勞方會認為此水平的最低工資，工人並未取得能滿足最基本生活需求的薪金；資方則擔憂勞工成本上漲，加重經營負擔。勞資都需要考慮、體諒對方的困難，只有雙方均願意作出妥協，才能令本港的最低工資落實邁出重要一步。
尊重機制決定 勿毀既有規則
臨時最低工資委員會在研究釐定最低工資水平時，已參考政府統計處有關收入及工時調查報告等「一籃子」指標等，以便進行客觀、審慎及全面的研究和分析。既然最低工資水平的釐定已有切實可行、又獲得各方認可的機制，最低工資的各相關方面必須尊重機制作出的決定，即使結果未能達到己方要求，也只能在機制內協商爭取，不宜破壞遊戲規則。
定時檢討水平 引入援助措施
實施最低工資後人力成本加重，僱主傾向聘用生產能力較高的僱員，年老、殘障等弱勢人士就業勢必面對衝擊。政府有責任定時檢討最低工資對基層人士就業、生活的影響，加快研究引入失業援助等配套措施，幫助在職貧窮人士減輕生活壓力。
Implementing the Minimum Wage in a Spirit of Mutual Understanding and Compromise
The Provisional Minimum Wage Commission(PMWC) has reached a consensus regarding the level of minimum wage. According to sources, the initial minimum wage is going to be set at HK$28 an hour. To successfully implement the minimum wage, workers and employers have to uphold the principle of mutual understanding and compromise. Both parties should respect the mechanism for setting the minimum wage and accept the result achieved through consultations. Under the present situation in which workers and employers tend to be more reasonable and accommodating regarding the minimum wage level of HK$28 an hour, either side should refrain from using radical words or actions to air their demands, otherwise the implementation of minimum wage will go astray.
The minimum wage level of approximately HK$28 an hour can be seen as a middle ground, but there is still a gap between this level and what is demanded by either the workers or the employers. It falls short of the HK$33 an hour that workers have asked and on the other hand it is way above the HK$22 to HK$25 an hour that employers have desired. With this particular level of minimum wage, workers will think that they are not given a pay enough to meet their daily needs while the employers will worry that the rise in labour cost will add extra burden to their business. In fact, there is a need for both sides to consider and understand each other's difficulties. Only when both parties are willing to compromise can an important step be made towards the implementation of the minimum wage in H.K.
While working to set up the minimum wage level, the PMWC had actually taken into account a set of indices, such as those in the study report on income and working hours published by the Statistics Department, in order to conduct an objective, prudent and thorough study and analysis. As the mechanism for setting the level of minimum wage is practical and generally accepted, it is of the utmost importance that the relevant parties concerned respect the decision made under the mechanism. Even if the result does not meet their demands, the various sides should only seek to fight through consultation in the system and nobody should break the rule of the game.
Upon the implementation of minimum wage, labour cost will increase and employers will more likely hire employees of higher productivities. The disadvantaged groups, such as the aged and the disabled, will definitely have to face difficulties in their employment. The Government has the duty to regularly review the effects of the minimum wage on the employment and livelihood of the grassroots and should promptly study the introduction of supplementary measures such as unemployment allowance so as to help the working poor to ease the hardship of maintaining a living. ■Translation by開明(chi.ming818@gmail.com)
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