Hong Kong - Around 200 people marched through Hong Kong on Sunday calling for a minimum wage to protect low-paid workers in the wealthy former British colony.

The marchers, organized by a group called the People's Alliance for Minimum Wage, said they wanted to see an immediate minimum wage of 33 Hong Kong dollars (4.24 US dollars) an hour.

Holding up banners and chanting slogans, they presented a petition at Central Government Offices calling on Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang to set a timetable for the minimum wage as soon as possible.

Hong Kong's powerful business lobby has vehemently opposed a minimum wage in the city of 6.9 million, arguing it would make the territory uncompetitive and lead to job losses.

A voluntary minimum wage of just over 3 US dollars an hour was introduced last year for cleaners and security guards last year but survey indicate that it has been widely ignored.

Tsang has so far resisted calls for a minimum wage and is not expected to raise the issue in his annual policy address speech later this month. (dpa)