Industrial Health and Safety
The Industrial Health Division of the Labour Depart- ment offers an advisory service to industry on matters relating to the health of workers. The Division is primarily concerned with preventing occupational diseases, and protecting workers against hazards in their working environment. These hazards are reported either by the statutory notification of occupational diseases by factories, by the factory inspectorate or by officers of the Division. The Division's laboratory has been designated a collaborating laboratory on air pollution by the World Health Organisation.
The Government has strengthened its regulations concerning the guarding and operation of machinery; the spraying of flammable liquids; work on dry batteries; work safety in construction sites; and has introduced regulations concerning work in com- pressed air; the use of cartridge-operated fixing tools; the protection of eyes; the operation of lifting appliances, lifting gear, and cargo-handling. New regulations concerning the use of electrical appliances in factories and fire safety precautions are expected to be introduced in the near future. Safety regulations are enforced by the Factory Inspectorate Division of the Labour Department.
Skilled technicians overhauling an aircraft jet engine.
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Workmen's Compensation
Legislation also provides protection for workers who are injured or who are incapacitated by disease arising from, and in the course of, their employment. Workers covered in this way are those engaged in manual labour, and all non-manual workers whose monthly earnings do not exceed HK$5,000 (US$1,000) a month. For temporary incapacity, compensation is two-thirds of the workers' monthly earnings. For total permanent incapacity, a lump sum equivalent to 48 months' earnings is payable, subject to a maximum of HK$80,000 (US$16,000) and a minimum of HK$12,800 (US$2,560). Compensation for permanent partial incapacity is assessed as a percentage of the amount payable for total permanent incapacity. For fatal injuries the dependents of the deceased may apply to a court of law for compensation not exceeding 36 months' earnings, subject to a maximum of HK$60,000 (US$12,000) and a minimum of HK$9,600 (US$1,920). The amount paid and the method of making the payments, whether in a lump sum or by instalments, is determined by the courts. Given the scope of the legislation and possible benefits under it, it is custom- ary for employers to take out insurance policies to cover workmen's compensation benefits. The Workmen's Compensation Ordinance is being reviewed compre- hensively, and the maximum limits for compensation are likely to be increased substantially in the near future.
A new compensation scheme for workers suffering from pneumoconiosis is being introduced.
All employers are required by law to notify the Labour Department of the occurrence of accidents in their establishments. The Labour Department is also responsible for ensuring that compensation or interim grants are paid to the workers concerned, or to their dependents.
Trade Unions and Labour Relations
About 400 trade unions are registered with the Registrar of Trade Unions. These include 340 em- ployees' unions with a total membership of over 402,000. The majority of unions cover seamen and transport workers, workers in public utilities, textile and other manufactories, construction, catering estab- lishments and community and social services.
More than half of the registered trade unions are either affiliated to, or associated with, one of the two local federations which bear allegiance to opposing political groups. These are the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, which supports the People's Republic of China; and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council which sympathises with the policies of the Taiwan authorities. Divided politically, the number of unions has grown beyond practical needs, and divergent loyalties have prevented those with common interests from amalgamating into effective organisa- tions. The failure of trade unions in Hong Kong to represent labour adequately has placed heavy respon- sibilities on industrial management and on Govern- ment departments in respect of workers' interests. Meanwhile, the number of neutral and independent trade unions has increased to over 160.