Key facts
- Hong Kong civil servants will be able to take leave in hourly increments.
- Businesses are unlikely to follow suit with hourly leave policies.
- Foreign carers for the elderly may receive 10-20% more pay than current helpers.
- Concerns exist that a foreign carer scheme could drive up wages and leave the poor without help.
Hong Kong civil servants are set to benefit from a new policy allowing them to take leave in hourly increments, a move intended to enhance work-life balance. This development comes amid broader discussions about labor practices and potential impacts on various sectors.
Separately, concerns have been raised regarding a potential foreign carer scheme for the elderly. Employers warn that such a scheme could lead to a 10-20% increase in wages for these carers compared to current helpers. There are also fears that this could exacerbate existing inequalities, leaving lower-income families without adequate support.