EMPLOYMENT
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Department from an establishment of 23 officers in 1947 to 176 in 1962. With the Registry of Trade Unions it is primarily respon- sible for executing Government's labour policy and the Commis- sioner of Labour is the principal adviser to Government on labour and industrial relations. He is ex officio chairman of the Labour Advisory Board, on which both labour and management are represented. The commissioner is also chairman of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Standing Committee, and a member of the Kwun Tong Advisory Committee concerned with the provision of industrial sites. Concurrently he is the Commis- sioner of Mines.
All labour legislation is initiated in the department, which is also responsible for ensuring that Hong Kong's obligations under international labour conventions are observed. The registration of industrial undertakings, coupled with regular inspection, ensures safe and healthy working conditions. The labour inspectorate con- tinued to seek improvement of conditions in older factories in particular, and special attention was paid to the lighting and ven- tilation of workrooms and the safeguarding of plant machinery and processes. The department conciliates in disputes between management and labour and offers advice on the establishment of appropriate machinery for joint consultation. Trade unions are guided in their formation and classes are organized to assist trade unionists in accountancy and administration. Largely through the investigations of its labour inspectors and health visitors, the department administers legislation governing workmen's compensa- tion and the working conditions of women and young persons employed in industry. The department also provides training in supervisory techniques. Special protection is given to emigrant labour, and help in seeking work is given to redundant workers from military and civil establishments.
Throughout the year posters on industrial safety were displayed in factories, and the press reported many aspects of the depart- ment's work. Talks on general safety in workplaces and on safe practices in specific processes were given by officers of the depart- ment to members of employers' associations, workers' unions, students of the Technical College and selected industrial personnel. A poster on legislation affecting industrial establishments was pro- duced in English and Chinese and sent to factories, Government