EMPLOYMENT
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Due to the general shortage of skilled labour in the local market, a special scheme allowing employers to recruit skilled workers from outside Hong Kong was introduced in May 1989. This scheme provided for the importation of 3 000 workers at technician, craftsman and supervisory levels on contracts not exceeding two years.
Subsequently, 641 applications involving 8 479 workers were received. After vetting, 2 323 workers were found eligible for entry. The majority of them were in the construction and manufacturing fields.
Foreign Domestic Helpers
The entry of foreign domestic helpers is subject to the condition that the employer is a bona fide resident of Hong Kong who can provide suitable accommodation to the helper and is willing to undertake his or her maintenance in Hong Kong and repatriation to the country of origin. The demand for foreign domestic helpers has increased steadily. In 1989, there were 57 971 foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong, compared with 45 154 in 1988, representing an increase of 28.4 per cent. Of these, 52 868 are citizens of the Philippines.
Attestation of Employment Contracts for Foreign Domestic Helpers
For the purpose of controlling and protecting the employment conditions of foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong, the Foreign Domestic Helpers Service of the Labour Department attested to 44 111 employment contracts for foreign domestic helpers in 1989. -- It also handles conciliation of disputes arising from the employment of foreign domestic helpers. During the year, 629 claims, 1011 consultations and 46 158 enquiries relating to their employment were handled.
Employment Agencies
The Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Department is responsible for administering Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations in controlling the licensing and operation of employment agencies in Hong Kong. In 1989, 498 licences were issued to agencies dealing with local employment and 119 licences to those handling employment outside Hong Kong.
Employment Outside Hong Kong
The External Employment Service is responsible for enforcing the Contracts for Em- ployment Outside Hong Kong Ordinance which controls employment contracts entered into in Hong Kong between employers and manual workers proceeding to work outside the territory. Under the ordinance, such contracts must be attested by the Commissioner for Labour before the workers depart from Hong Kong. An employer or his agent who fails to comply with the provisions of this ordinance is liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000. During the year, the service attested 200 fresh contracts under the ordinance.
Industrial Safety
The Factory Inspectorate of the Labour Department is responsible for enforcing the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations. These regulations provide for the safety and health of workers in factories, on building and engineering construction sites and in other industrial undertakings. Advice and assistance are given to management on various safety and health aspects, including the adoption of safe working practices and layout of new factories to achieve a better working environ- ment. The inspectorate also investigates industrial accidents and dangerous occurrences.