Port of Hong Kong’s container terminal operator Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) has agreed to a 5.5% increase in basic salary for workers hired by external contractors, avoiding the industrial action announced last week by the Union of Hong Kong Dockers.
HIT says that 95% of the workers have given their written consent to the pay increase stipulated within service contracts for 2015-2016.
HIT’s external contractor workers have received a cumulative increase in monthly pay of 26.9% since 2013 and a 44.9% increase over the past five years, the operator says in a release.
The Union of Hong Kong Dockers initially asked for an 8.5% pay rise, and for improved communication with the contractors.
The Port of Hong Kong recorded a drop in volumes handled in the first quarter of 2015, which HIT attributed to the uncertainties in the global economy and international trade.