The salary increases will range from 1.6 percent to 5 percent according to employees’ performance. Those with outstanding performances will also be eligible for an annual bonus of at least 1.5 to a maximum of 2.17 times their monthly salary.

Based on the company’s performance appraisal, most employees will enjoy a pay bump of 3.3 percent - 5 percent. The pay increases came into effect on July 1, according to the railway company.

Hong Kong Federation of Railway Trade Unions chairman Lam Wai-keung said they were disappointed about this year’s pay review, which falls short of employees’ expectations.

He said inflation has eroded MTR employees’ pay after having their salaries frozen in the last two years, calling on the railway company to count the performance bonus as base salary in paying the employees.

The union also urged the MTR Corp to set up an automatic time-based increment system, allowing employees to get a pay rise every five years.