Hong Kong employer groups call for helper wage freeze, warn of mass sackings
‘Many employers are themselves out of work or facing pay cuts or pay freezes,’ group representative says
A coalition of Hong Kong employers has called on the government to freeze the pay of foreign domestic workers this year, warning that any wage increases may result in mass sackings.
They also proposed a new pay-for-performance mechanism to allow employers to reward high-performing helpers more than poor performers.
Two employers’ groups – the International Domestic Service Industry Development Federation, and the Quadripartite Alliance for Harmonious Employment Practices – led about 30 employers’ representatives to petition the government on Saturday.
They held a banner with slogans calling for a pay freeze amid the uncertain economic outlook, and saying a pay rise to helpers would overload employers.