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EMPLOYMENT
loss of 202 working days. The service also dealt with 16 510 claims for wages in lieu of notice, wages in arrears, annual leave pay, holiday pay, end-of-year payment, severance payment, long service payment and others.
The Labour Relations Ordinance provides the machinery for special conciliation, voluntary arbitration and boards of enquiry to settle trade disputes that cannot be resolved through ordinary conciliation.
The Labour Relations Service's Promotion Unit endeavours to promote harmonious labour-management relations in the private sector through a variety of activities such as promotional visits to individual establishments in major economic sectors, employers' associations and employees' trade unions; organising training courses, seminars, con- ferences and exhibitions; and publishing newsletters, information leaflets and pamphlets on a wide range of labour legislation and labour relations matters.
The Hong Kong Labour Relations Conference, which attracted an attendance of over 600, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 4, 1991. The conference provided a forum for employers, senior managers, trade union leaders and academics to share their knowledge of and experiences in enlightened personnel practices.
Two industry-wide tripartite committees comprising representatives from employers' associations, trade unions and government have been set up in the catering and construction industries. These tripartite committees provide meeting points for the relevant -parties to discuss labour relations matters of mutual concern.
To meet the increasing demand at district level, district promotional activities were expanded during the year. Promotional activities took a variety of forms including visits to establishments, talks and seminars on labour legislation and personnel practices, audio- visual shows, training courses and exhibitions.
The Labour Tribunal
The Labour Tribunal, which is part of the judiciary, is intended to provide a quick, inexpensive and informal method of adjudicating certain types of disputes between employees and employers.
In 1991, the tribunal heard 4 964 cases involving employees as claimants, and a further 543 cases initiated by employers. More than $41 million was awarded by the presiding officers. Of these cases, 94 per cent were referred by the Labour Relations Service after unsuccessful conciliation attempts.
Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund
Employees who are owed wages by their insolvent employers may apply to the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund for ex-gratia payment. The fund covers wages not exceeding $8,000 for services rendered during a period of four months preceding the date of application. It also covers seven days' wages in lieu of notice, up to $2,000. With effect from June 7, 1991, severance payment coverage was improved to cover an applicant's entitlement up to $8,000 (which is the priority claim limit in a winding-up or bankruptcy) plus 50 per cent of his entitlement in excess of $8,000. To meet the additional expenditure arising from this improved coverage, the annual levy imposed on business registration certificates to finance the operation of the fund was increased from $100 to $250.
During the year, the fund received 7719 applications and paid out a total of $33.20 million to 4 799 applicants.