Hong Kong workers set for average pay rise of 3 per cent in 2020 despite ongoing protests, survey finds

Hong Kong workers can expect an average pay rise of 3 per cent next year despite the ongoing social unrest as more than half of the city’s bosses are still willing to increase wages, a survey has found.

The Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management gave the upbeat outlook for the city’s workforce on Thursday after it polled 94 companies – which employ some 145,000 staff from 15 sectors including hotel, retail, trading and banking – from August to September.

The survey showed 51 per cent of the firms indicated they would give their staff a pay rise while 48 per cent said they did not have any plan yet.

Institute vice-president Lawrence Hung Yu-yun said based on the poll findings and the group’s economic assessment, there would be an estimated average pay rise for the city’s employees of 3 per cent next year.

“We believe there will be more relief measures from the government to boost the economy. So far we don’t think the negative social sentiment will have a huge impact on the labour market,” he said.