New Statutory Minimum Wage rate of $43.1 per hour takes effect today
The Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate has been raised from $42.1 per hour to $43.1 with effect from today (May 1).
According to the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO), employees are protected by the SMW whether they are monthly-rated, daily-rated, hourly-rated, piece-rated, permanent, casual, full-time or part-time, etc, and regardless of whether they are employed under a continuous contract as defined in the Employment Ordinance (EO). The SMW is not applicable to live-in domestic workers (irrespective of their sex, race and nationality), student interns and work experience students as specified in the MWO, and persons to whom the EO does not apply.
The SMW also protects employees with disabilities. A special arrangement is provided under the MWO for employees with disabilities to opt for a productivity assessment to determine whether they should be remunerated at no less than the SMW or at a rate commensurate with their productivity. For those employees with disabilities who have chosen this special arrangement, their employers must pay wages of not less than the amount calculated according to the new SMW rate and the degree of productivity assessed.
In addition, the monthly monetary cap on the requirement for employers to record the total number of hours worked by employees in a wage period under the EO has been raised from $17,200 to $17,600 per month with effect from today in tandem with the implementation of the new SMW rate. When wages payable to an employee in respect of a wage period are less than $17,600 per month, the employer is required to keep a record of the total number of hours worked by the employee in that wage period.
Enquiries about the SMW can be made through the 24-hour enquiry hotline at 2717 1771 (handled by 1823) and during office hours at branch offices of the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department (LD). For details of the SMW, please visit the LD's homepage (www.labour.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
CAD celebrates 80th anniversary
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) celebrates its 80th anniversary today (May 1), marking a new chapter in its development. To commemorate this historic milestone, CAD will organise a number of events to showcase the evolution of local civil aviation, and promote aviation knowledge to the public.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, said, "The Government established the Directorate of Air Services on May 1, 1946, to manage local civil aviation operations, and the department was renamed as CAD in June of the following year. Over the past eight decades, CAD has grown with Hong Kong and the aviation industry, witnessing the expansion of Hong Kong airport from a single runway at Kai Tak to an international aviation hub with a threerunway system."
To mark this significant milestone, CAD has published an 80th anniversary commemorative book, "Pioneering New Skies". This publication reviews the eight decade journey of CAD and civil aviation development of Hong Kong; and invites retired colleagues and civil aviation history researchers to share their stories, highlighting the rapid development of Hong Kong's civil aviation. In the book's preface, Mr Liu said that CAD will, as always, uphold professionalism to work with various stakeholders to promote the safe and sustainable development of civil aviation in Hong Kong; and continue its mission to connect the world and drive the industry to reach new heights. Excerpts from the commemorative book have been uploaded to the CAD's 80th anniversary thematic webpage.
At the same time, the Aviation Education Path at CAD headquarters will feature thematic exhibits in line with the 80th anniversary celebration. These additions will enrich the contents and enable visitors to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the milestones and future directions of both CAD and local civil aviation.
In addition, to strengthen community ties, CAD will hold an open day in September. A variety of activities will be arranged, including the Aviation Education Path guided tours, thematic seminars and demonstrations of the air traffic control tower simulator. Details and registration arrangements will be announced later on the dedicated webpage of the 80th anniversary.
CAD celebrates 80th anniversary Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CAD celebrates 80th anniversary Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
