Press Releases

2007 Pay Trend Survey findings endorsed

The Pay Trend Survey Committee met today (May 28) to consider the findings of the 2007 Pay Trend Survey.

The Committee validated the survey findings which indicate that the following average pay adjustments have been awarded by the surveyed companies over the 12-month period from April 2, 2006 to April 1, 2007:

4.28% for lower salary band (i.e. employees earning below $14,330 per month);

5.24% for middle salary band (i.e. employees earning from $14,330 to $43,940 per month);

5.59% for upper salary band (i.e. employees earning from $43,941 to $87,430 per month).

The 2007 Pay Trend Survey was conducted by the Pay Survey and Research Unit of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service and based on an improved methodology as approved by the Chief Executive-in-Council in March 2007. The improved methodology, which is the outcome of extensive consultation with staff sides, encompasses the broadening of survey field to include both larger companies (employing 100 or more staff) and smaller companies (employing 50 to 99 staff), and the modification to the data consolidation method to complement the broadening of the survey field.

The survey measured the pay trend in 91 private companies covering 144,901 employees over the 12-month period from April 2, 2006 to April 1, 2007. It took into account adjustments to basic salary and additional payments for employees of the surveyed companies relating to cost of living, changes in market rates, general prosperity and company performance, merit and in-scale increment, in accordance with the improved survey methodology.

A breakdown of the 91 surveyed companies by size is as follows:

The list of surveyed companies is at the Annex.

The distribution of the survey population of 144,901 employees by the three salary bands is as follows:

The meeting today was chaired by Professor the Hon Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, BBS, JP, who is a Member of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service (Standing Commission).

In announcing the results, Professor Cheung said, "These figures are the result of a survey of the pay trends in the private companies. Pay adjustment for the civil service is, however, a separate matter. The actual level of adjustment will have to be determined by the Administration in consultation with the four central staff consultative councils, having regard to relevant considerations." He emphasised that neither the Pay Trend Survey Committee, nor for that matter the Standing Commission, is involved in any way in the discussions between the Administration and the staff sides on any pay adjustment based on the survey results.

Professor Cheung wishes to express the Committee's sincere appreciation for the co-operation and assistance rendered by the 91 surveyed companies to the Pay Survey and Research Unit.