Lawmakers have approved a minimum hourly wage of HK$28 after an attempt to hold out for more got the thumbs down yesterday. The new level comes into effect from May 1.

"Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung moved a motion in the Legislative Council to repeal the Minimum Wage Ordinance, saying HK$28 was not enough and lawmakers should hold out for HK$33, as suggested by unions.

However, the motion was roundly rejected by members from across the political spectrum - except for Leung's two fellow legislators from the League of Social Democrats and tourism-sector representative Paul Tse Wai-chun.

Leung, who shouldered HK$1 million in legal expenses after losing a minimum wage lawsuit against the government in 2007, said the ordinance should be vetoed as it does not allow lawmakers to amend the wage level. Other lawmakers said a delay in approving the ordinance will deprive as many as 314,600 workers of the opportunity to earn more.

Wong Kwok-hing, of the pro- establishment Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said Legco cannot assume the chief executive will raise the level, as Leung suggested. Confederation of Trade Unions' Lee Cheuk-yan said there is no reason why legislators cannot fight for the HK$33 level at a later stage.