{
  "id": 9501807,
  "title": "Workers should get 2.8pc pay rise in 2026: survey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/workers-should-get-2-8pc-pay-rise-in-2026-survey-9501807",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-24T05:41:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News - Finance",
    "slug": "rthk-news-finance",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1871368-20260924.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent survey has indicated that Hong Kong workers should expect an average pay increase of 2.8 percent in 2026, a slight improvement from the 2.7 percent rise seen in 2025, according to the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management. The survey, which examined 173 companies across 12 industries employing over 180,000 full-time staff, suggests that businesses are approaching salary hikes with caution. Lawrence Hung, the institute's former president and executive council member, stated that 2.8 percent represents a balanced and cautious strategy. Companies will undoubtedly take into account the business landscape, economic conditions, and market pay adjustments when determining salary increases. Hung also noted that employers are willing to pay more for key talent with specialized skills who can benefit their firms. While 44 percent of surveyed companies plan to raise salaries this year, 56 percent have yet to decide. Hung emphasized that talent retention should not solely depend on pay increases, given the limited growth in salary budgets. Instead, he advocated for a comprehensive approach, which includes providing skill training, improving benefits, and implementing family-friendly measures to attract and retain talent. Surprisingly, the survey also revealed average pay rises of 2.8 percent in Macao and 4.2 percent in other Greater Bay Area cities.",
  "summary": "Workers in Hong Kong should be getting an average pay rise of 2.8 percent this year, slightly higher than the 2.7 percent increase in 2025, a survey has showed. The survey, conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management in the first nine months of this year, looked at 173 companies from 12 business sectors that together have more than 180,000 full-time employees. Lawrence Hung,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "Workers should get 2.8pc pay rise in 2026: survey",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/workers-should-get-2-8pc-pay-rise-in-2026-survey",
        "published": "2026-09-24T05:41:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}