Hong Kong is set to raise the statutory minimum wage from the current HK$40 to HK$42.1 per hour.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government said the Executive Council has adopted the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) on raising the minimum wage level by 5.25 percent.

It said it will publish the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 in the Gazette on Friday, and table it in the Legislative Council on February 26.

If Legco gives it the green light, the new minimum wage rate will take effect on May 1.

“The recommendation … is in line with the policy objectives … to maintain an appropriate balance between forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs, while giving due regard to sustaining Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness,” labour and welfare secretary Chris Sun said.