OBJECTIVES

On 11 October 2006, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Donald TSANG Yam-kuen, announced in his Policy Address that the Government would join hands with the business community and labour sector to launch the Wage Protection Movement (WPM). This is to protect the wage level of cleaning workers and security guards through voluntary and non-legislative means.

DETAILS OF WPM

How is WPM implemented?

Under the WPM, participating corporations are encouraged to offer cleaning workers and security guards wages not lower than the relevant average market rates as stipulated in the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD)'s Quarterly Report of Wage and Payroll Statistics (Quarterly Report). They would also enter into written employment contracts with these workers under their direct employ. Enterprises/Employers interested in joining the WPM may download and complete the application form (PDF).

In recognition of their support for providing wage protection to cleaning workers and security guards, the socially responsible enterprises/employers who have joined, and continued to comply with, the WPM will be presented with a specially designed logo (PDF) for use.

According to C&SD's figures, the average wage rates of cleaning workers and security guards as at June 2008 (the latest figures) were as follows:

Occupation
Average monthly salaries ($)
Average number of normal hours of work per day
Average number of standard working days per month
Corresponding average hourly rate
($)
Sanitary and similar services
Cleaner (general)
5,304
8
26
25.5
Cleaner (lavatory)

5,151
9
26
22.0
Security and detective services
Guard (overall average)
7,357
10
26
28.3
Guard (3-shifts)
6,651
8
26
32.0
Guard (2-shifts)

7,051
11
26

24.7

Note:

  1. If the contractual working hours per day and working days per month of the security guards and cleaning workers are different from those published in the C&SD's Quarterly Report, enterprises/employers should pay these workers monthly wages calculated on a pro rata basis.
  2. If security guards are employed under 3-shifts or their normal hours of work is 8 hours or less per day, the wage rate of "3-shifts" should apply. For those employed under 2-shifts (i.e. 11 hours of work plus one hour of meal break or 12 hours flat), the wage rate of "2-shifts" should apply. For those employed under other arrangements, the wage rate of "overall average" is applicable.

What about subcontracting arrangements?

Enterprises which outsource their cleansing and guarding services should require their contractors and subcontractors to follow the above practices by specifying the terms in the tender document and/or service agreement. If further subcontracting is allowed, the main/principal contractor would be responsible for handling any non-compliance of the sub-contractors in respect of the wage requirement and the use of written employment contract.

When should wage protection be adopted?

Enterprises are encouraged to adopt the WPM terms for their direct employees as soon as possible. As for current service contracts, since it may be difficult to vary the conditions of existing contracts, it would be acceptable to apply the WPM terms to new or renewed contracts.

How many organisations have so far adopted a "wage protection" arrangement?

This arrangement has been applied to all government departments and public bodies (e.g. tertiary institutions, the Airport Authority) since 2004. We have also encouraged subvented organisations and subsidised schools with outsourced cleansing and guarding services contracts to follow suit.

We are actively encouraging private enterprises and employers at large to support the movement. The Labour Department (LD) is working closely with the major chambers of commerce and employer groups to kickstart the movement. It has also approached a number of employer groups representing the small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as security service contractors and cleansing contractors groups to solicit their support. LD will also target the owners' corporations, which together employ a sizable number of cleaning workers and security guards.

List of Participating Enterprises / Organisations under the WPM NEW

As at 31 August 2008, there were 1119 private enterprises / organisations participating in the WPM. (List) (PDF)

What will happen if WPM fails to yield satisfactory results?

A final review will be carried out in October 2008 (i.e. two years after implementation) to evaluate its overall effectiveness. If the final review finds that the WPM fails to yield satisfactory results, the Government will introduce a statutory minimum wage for cleaning workers and security guards.


ROLE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT

  • LD will provide sample written employment contract for reference by participating enterprises/contractors. Through the use of written employment contracts, LD will be able to resolve labour disputes and take enforcement action more effectively.
  • LD will promote wage protection through a package of measures including promotion, publicity, public education, contractual regulation and enforcement.
  • With effect from 27 October 2006, LD's free employment service for vacancies for cleaning workers and security guards are only extended to those vacancies offering wages not lower than the relevant average market rates.
  • All LD's employment programmes will give priority to employers supporting the WPM.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ENQUIRY

Wage Protection Movement Unit
Labour Department
Tel : 2852 3815
 (9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:15 pm, Monday to Friday)
For enquiries after office hours, please call 2717 1771(handled by "Integrated Call Centre")
Fax :2110 3518
E-mail : enquiry@labour.gov.hk

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