Higher wages possible for Hong Kong workers following changes to government tendering procedures
Those considering tenders will have to take into account what potential contractors are offering their unskilled or low-paid workers
Thousands of low-paid and unskilled workers may receive higher wages as the government is set to introduce a new tendering guideline that could end the practice of contracts often going to the lowest bidder.
From July 1, when government departments want to outsource their operations and if the practice involves hiring “a large number” of unskilled labourers, they must assess the wages suggested by the bidders, unless officials agree otherwise.
The government is unsure how many workers will benefit from the new policy or how it will affect public spending.
Clarifying the changes in tendering guidelines in the Legislative Council on Monday, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah said: “All government departments wanting to call for tenders for non-skilled work and give a score must consider bidders’ suggestions on wages [for the workers].
“To put it simply, the higher the salaries, the higher the scores.”
Tsang explained the move was to encourage contractors to improve the treatment of their non-skilled workers and to show the government wanted to set a good example.
