Since 2011 their state pensions have been protected by the "triple lock", which ensures they rise along with prices, earnings or 2.5%, whichever is higher.
Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher.
For the next 50 per cent, however, the charge is the Base Rate plus 5 per cent, or the overnight Hong Kong Interbank Offer Rate (HIBOR) of the day, whichever is higher.
