go43andrti,
Sorry buddy, but you can bark all you want about the variations in "market forces" that have led to all the different pay scales in different areas, but that's another story and that ship has sailed.
The fact remains that the 13th month was adjusted into the 12 months of based pay scales a long time ago. CX pays 12 x monthly vs. 26 x 2-week payments for 52 weeks/year as is done in most countries = 13 months, hence the 13th month tradition in HKG. So the 13 payments were put into 12 payments 8.3% (or whatever) higher. That's why the 13th month is considered permanently in those based pay scales, regardless of the HKG staff getting it or not. That's just the way it is.
If you want to live in HKG with its cost of living and receive that location's pay scale, while hoping for a profitable year to receive a 13th month bonus as per the HKG COS, it's simple: Move to HKG. And when you consider the extra (edited 14 Nov to include those at the bottom end of the deal) 3000-9000USD/month or so in housing assistance provided to attract experienced expats to HKG, which also means none of the salary is spent on the mortgage or rent, HKG staff are way more than 1500$/month ahead of you, and nobody is making waves about that accepted variation in the different conditions?
If you want based guys to also get a new bonus of another 13th month beyond was is included in their pay scale, then submit a motion to the AOA to get a vote going on having the membership get together to prioritize this and pressure the company to give you more money, perhaps even agreeing to a unified force of contract compliance and the will to participate in a worldwide walkout. Good luck with that!
Last edited by Iron Skillet; 14th Nov 2011 at 11:29.