Hong Kong , China ( CNN ) -- Hong Kong lawmakers resumed debate Wednesday on a bill that may result in the region 's first statutory minimum wage . The Minimum Wage Bill is a controversial piece of legislation that lawmakers hope will protect the most vulnerable workers in Hong Kong , one of the few places in the world without any sort of minimum wage law . The debate is set to take two to three days . A recent government survey showed that around half a million workers in Hong Kong earn less than $ 4 an hour . These include low-skilled workers from the catering , retail , and cleaning industries . According to Man Hon Poon , a policy researcher at the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union , the lack of legal protection for workers has led to serious exploitation . `` Workers in restaurants have to work for 12 hours or even 14 hours a day to earn a living , '' he said . `` They can not even go to the cinema . '' Legislator Tommy Cheung , however , claims that the government should not interfere with the free market economy , which he says has served Hong Kong well in the past . A minimum wage could deter investors and lead to increased unemployment , said Cheung , who represents the catering industry . `` There is one fear within the industry , that they would have to close down , '' he said . `` When you see a closure , everyone loses out . '' The government first proposed the current bill in 2008 following a failed attempt at a voluntary minimum wage . Labor unions , however , have been lobbying for a minimum wage since 1998 , following the Asian financial crisis . The rate of the minimum wage has also been under great debate . Trade unions have been demanding a minimum wage of $ 4 while employer groups have been asking for $ 3 per hour . If the bill passes this week , the rate of the minimum wage will be set by the Minimum Wage Commission , a consortium of trade union members , employers and scholars , in the coming months . Once the chief executive approves the rate , employers will have six months to implement the law . The Hong Kong government estimates that the earliest the minimum wage law may take effect is May 2011 .
Hong Kong lawmakers are debating a new minimum wage . Hong Kong currently has no minimum wage . Comment: Opponents do n't want the government to interfere in the free market .