The Standard Working Hours Committee held its 14th meeting today to discuss proposals to implement a policy on employees’ working hours.
The committee was briefed on the results of an impact assessment study, which showed that while some employees would enjoy a pay rise as a result of standard working hours and possibly a higher overtime pay rate, other employees would face pay cuts due to reduced working hours.
At the enterprise level, the impact would fall more heavily on the relatively long-working-hours sectors, with their potential increases in wage bills larger and affordability possibly lower compared to other sectors.
The increases in wage bills are mainly found in SMEs in some sectors, while those enterprises possibly turning from profit to loss due to the rise in wage bills are also mainly SMEs.
At the macro level, employers may need to hire more staff to meet manpower needs if standard working hours are implemented. This may in turn exacerbate the prevailing manpower shortage and cause wage inflation.
Members also deliberated on proposed working hour employment terms to be specified in written employment contracts.
Committee chairperson Dr Leong Che-hung said members will carefully consider various factors and the possible impact of its recommendations on employees, employers, enterprises, the overall economy and the labour market with a view to building community consensus and formulating appropriate and feasible working hour policy options.
It will further consult major employer associations, labour organisations, trades and professional bodies on its preliminary recommendations to collect views for preparing its report.
