EMPLOYMENT
individual employment contracts. It hears all employment claims involving not more than five claimants for a sum of money not exceeding $5,000 per claimant.
In 1995, the board heard 1412 cases involving employees as claimants, and a further 258 cases filed by employers. The board awarded a total of about $3.319 million on these claims.
Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund
The Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund is financed by an annual levy of $250 on each business registration certificate. Employees who are owed wages and other employment termination benefits by their insolvent employers may apply to the fund for ex gratia payment. The fund covers wages not exceeding $18,000 accrued during a period of four months preceding the date of application and wages in lieu of notice for termination of up to $6,000 or one month's wages, whichever is less.
The fund's coverage for severance payment was extended during the year from the previous maximum of $8,000 plus 50 per cent of any entitlement in excess of $8,000 to $24,000 plus 50 per cent of any entitlement in excess of $24,000. In 1995, the fund received 6 035 applications and paid out a total of $96.6 million to 5 435 applicants.
Finding Employment
The Employment Services Division of the Labour Department provides free place- ment services to help employers recruit staff and to assist job-seekers in finding suitable employment. Since 1992, employers wishing to employ workers from outside Hong Kong under the importation of labour schemes must first notify the division of the vacancies available. This requirement ensures that local job-seekers have priority in filling the vacancies.
In April 1995, the division launched a Job Matching Programme which aims at providing intensive job matching and counselling services to the unemployed job- seekers aged 30 or above. Also, a Special Placement Team was established within the division to offer employment assistance to local construction workers seeking work in contracts under the New Airport and Related Projects. Both programmes have achieved encouraging results and were well received by job-seekers and employers. During the year, 123 868 job-seekers registered with the division while employers reported 92 290 vacancies. The division made 156 948 job referrals and placed 22 327 persons in employment.
Employees Retraining Scheme
The Employees Retraining Board was set up in 1992 to provide skills retraining for local employees to cope with structural changes in the economy. It consists of a tripartite governing body comprising representatives from the government, employers and employees. Training institutions and manpower planning practitioners are also represented in the governing body.
Training is delivered through an expanding network of approved training bodies, with funding support for approved courses from the Employees Retraining Fund. The fund received a capital injection of $300 million from the government. Its regular income comes from a levy charged on employers employing foreign workers under two labour importation schemes at the rate of $400 per worker per month.
119