The Chief Executive-in-Council today adopted the Minimum Wage Commission’s (MWC) recommendation to raise the statutory minimum wage from $37.5 per hour to $40.

Subject to the Legislative Council's approval, an amendment notice will be gazetted on January 13 and the revised minimum wage will come into force on May 1.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the commission has ably discharged its statutory function of reviewing the minimum wage rate after thorough and balanced deliberation.

 “The Government accepts the recommendation of the MWC, and considers that the new rate will be conducive to the overall interest and development of Hong Kong,” Mr Sun said.

He paid warm tribute to chairperson Priscilla Wong and all commission members for their untiring efforts and sterling contributions.

Another amendment notice will also be gazetted on January 13 to amend the monthly monetary cap on recording the total number of hours worked.

An employer will be exempted from the requirement to record the total number of hours worked by an employee who is paid at least $16,300 per month for a wage period. The current monetary cap is $15,300.

Both notices will be tabled in LegCo on January 18, and the revised monetary cap will also take effect on May 1.