EMPLOYMENT
firmly to the system of tripartite co-operation amongst employers, employees and the government mainly through the role of the Labour Advisory Board.
The Employment Ordinance was amended to give effect to improvements to maternity protection, provisions on definition of wages, protection of wage payment, end-of-year payment provisions and long service payment for employees younger than 45 (removal of reduction percentage). They also served to strengthen protection on employees against unreasonable termination of employment and variation of employment contracts.
The Trade Unions Ordinance was amended to extend to employers, employees and officers and members of registered trade unions protection (previously available only to registered trade unions) from any suit or legal proceeding in any civil court against them in respect of any act done in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute. This Ordinance was also amended to relax restrictions on certain aspects of trade unions' activities, including affiliation with organisations of workers, employers and relevant professional organisations in foreign countries, and formation of cross- industry trade union federations.
The Labour Relations Ordinance was amended to streamline and improve the flexibility of trade dispute settlement procedures by establishing a mediation procedure.
The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance was enacted to extend for the first time the protection of safety and health at work to employees in the non-industrial sectors.
Enforcement of Legislation
During 1997, there were 5 369 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department. Fines totalling $30,028,000 were imposed.
Labour Advisory Board
The Labour Advisory Board is a non-statutory body set up to provide a forum for consultation on labour policies and legislation. It also monitors the Supplementary Labour Scheme. Six of the 12 members represent employers and another six represent employees. The Commissioner for Labour, or her deputy, is the ex officio chairman. The board has set up five committees on special subjects including employees' compensation, employment services, occupational safety and health, labour relations and the implementation of international labour standards.
International Labour Standards
The International Labour Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) prescribe standards on matters such as labour administration, employment rights, and occupational safety and health as models for member states. These conventions have a significant influence on the formulation of labour legislation in Hong Kong and 46 are currently applied here. This compared favourably with most members of the International Labour Organisation in the region. From July 1, 1997, onwards, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has continued to participate in the activities of the ILO such as its Twelfth Asian Regional Meeting held in Bangkok during December 1997. The HKSAR is taking part in ILO activities
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