Hong Kong employees set for 4.5pc pay rise next year; mainlanders can expect 8pc

Hongkongers are expected to receive a raise of 4.5 per cent on average next year - an increase that places the city 36th out of 66 countries and regions surveyed.

Human resources consultancy ECA International polled 336 multinational companies that have operations in 66 countries from August to September. More than 110 of the firms have operations in Hong Kong.

The survey found that employers offered their staff a raise of 4.5 per cent this year and are expected to do the same next year.

The consultancy’s regional director for Asia, Lee Quane, said that employers in Hong Kong were still cautious about the city’s economic outlook because of the impact of the slowdown on the mainland. But he said in order to retain staff, they were willing to offer a raise of 4.5 per cent.

“This reflects the need for companies to maintain relatively high rates of wage increases in order to continue to attract and retain talent, despite difficult economic circumstances,” he said.

Among Asian countries surveyed, people in Pakistan are expected to receive the biggest increase, followed by Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the mainland.