HONG KONG
20 to 25 percent less than men.
In view of continued
tightness in Hong Kong's labor market (an average annual unemployment rate of 1.3 percent in 1989), higher wages were offered to workers, particularly in the construction industry and service sectors. Many employees also enjoy a year-end bonus of 1 month's pay or more. Some employers in the manufacturing sector provide workers with various kinds of fringe benefits, including subsidized meals or food allowances, free medical treatment, and free or subsidized transport. The Women and Young Persons Regulations under the employment ordinance control hours and conditions of work for women and young people in industry. Hours of work are limited to 8 per day and 48 per week between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. for
There women and 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for young persons under 18. are no legal restrictions on hours of work for men. Overtime is restricted to 2 hours per day and 200 hours per year for women; it is prohibited for all persons under 18.
There were a series of well publicized complaints about working conditions for foreign workers, the majority of whom are employed as domestics and are primarily from the
After the DOL failed to resolve Philippines and Thailand.
their problems, the domestics formed an organization to petition their respective consulates. Some illegal immigrants complained that their employers turned them in to the Hong Kong authorities just before payday, causing them to be deported before receiving their salaries.
The
The Labor Department's Factory Inspectorate promotes workers safety and health in industry through education, publicity, and inspection in accordance with the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and subsidiary regulations. Inspectorate pays particular attention to safety in high-risk areas on construction sites. From April to October 1989, inspectors visted 781 construction sites and issued 417 summons. As part of a complementary effort, the Department's Occupational Health Division investigates claims of occupational diseases, conducts environmental testing in the workplace, and provides medical examinations to employees in occupations which involve the handling of hazardous
materials. Independent labor unions maintain that the lack of qualified factory inspectors, who number about 230, is a longstanding problem.