The Environment Bureau and the two power companies announced the tariff increase for the coming year last week.
However, the minimum wage to protect low-level workers has been frozen. The monthly salary of employees who receive the minimum wage is only 8,000 yuan, which makes it difficult to meet living expenses.
The Service Industry General Union of the Federation of Trade Unions believes that the unfairness of the public is sacrificed on the grounds of carbon reduction, and it urges the government to review the "two-year inspection" mechanism to prevent grassroots workers from facing four consecutive years of wage freezes.
The Service Industry Federation of the Federation of Trade Unions held a press conference today (16th) to urge the government to review the current "two-year review" minimum wage adjustment mechanism.
Yau Yiu-shing, director of the Rights and Interests Committee of the Federation of Trade Unions, said that the Environment Bureau and the two power companies have increased their electricity tariffs separately on the grounds of "carbon reduction and price". In addition, NWFB and Citybus will implement the second phase increase of 3.2% next year, and MTR fare deduction discounts. It will end again next year, and the lives of the grassroots citizens will become even more burdensome.
According to data from the Census and Statistics Department, as of September, the Composite Consumer Price Index and Category A consumer prices have recorded year-on-year increases for 9 consecutive months, but the minimum wage has been frozen.
Under the current "two-year inspection" mechanism, grassroots workers have to face wage freezes for four consecutive years, reflecting that the minimum wage has not been linked to inflation and it is difficult to protect grassroots citizens.
Yau Yaocheng continued to point out that from April to November 2019, the government approved a total of 5,978 outsourcing contracts, of which 25% were paid only $41 or less per hour, which was very close to the minimum wage.
However, due to the wage gap between the old contract and the new contract, it is prone to different pay for equal work, making it more difficult for old contract employees to obtain protection.
Zhong Wenbin, director of the Guards Union, said that there are security guards who receive minimum wages, with only a daily salary of more than 300 yuan, and a monthly income of only 8,000 to 9,000 yuan. Most of the rent has been spent, and it is very difficult to cope with other living expenses. , "Don’t talk about raising a family, even if you are single, you can’t raise yourself."
The Service Industry Federation urges the government to face up to the plight of the grassroots. In the case of the freezing of the minimum wage, inflation has never stopped. It is recommended that the minimum wage level should be changed to "annual inspection."
The union continued that the minimum wage should be adjusted to a reasonable level in response to the market, and at least it must be linked to inflation.
The authorities should not use "carbon reduction has a price" as an excuse to allow a substantial increase in electricity charges at the expense of the public.
Yau Yaocheng also pointed out that the government, as the largest employer, should not take the lead in exploiting labor rights. It not only needs to strengthen supervision of outsourcing service contractors, but also provide subsidies to avoid different pay for equal work.
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