EMPLOYMENT
132
The overall average daily wage was $340, or $8,560 per month, for these craftsmen and operatives.
Employee Benefits
The Employment Ordinance provides for various employment-related benefits and entitlements for employees. On top of the statutory requirements, employers and employees are free to negotiate on the terms and conditions of their employment.
The Registrar of Occupational Retirement Schemes regulates voluntarily established occupational retirement schemes under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance. By year's end, 17 347 schemes had been registered and 1938 schemes were exempted. All registered schemes must comply with the ordinance's various monitoring requirements.
Labour Administration and Services
The Labour Department, headed by the Commissioner for Labour, implements labour policies and labour legislation for the promotion of harmonious labour relations and responsible trade unionism, the safeguard of employees' rights and benefits and the protection of the safety, health and welfare of the working community. It also provides free employment services to employers and job-seekers.
Labour Conditions
The employment of children under 15 years of age is prohibited in industrial undertakings. Children aged 13 and 14 may be employed in non-industrial establishments if they have completed Form III in secondary education. Those who have not must concurrently attend full-time schooling as a prerequisite for part-time employment. Specific provisions under the labour legislation protect their safety, health and welfare.
Labour inspectors monitor employers' compliance with various provisions of the Employment Ordinance relating to the employment of young persons and children, payment of wages and granting of annual leave, statutory holidays, rest days, maternity leave and sickness allowance. The ordinance applies equally to local and imported workers.
Labour Legislation
The Labour Department administers labour laws in force in the HKSAR. Labour legislation has been enacted which, supplemented by administrative measures, enables Hong Kong to maintain internationally accepted labour standards.
Eight pieces of labour legislation were enacted in 1999. They gave effect to certain reviews undertaken on the respective areas of employees' rights and benefits as well as occupational safety and health.
The Employees' Compensation Ordinance was amended to revise the list of occupational diseases that are compensable. The Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance was also amended to increase the limit of ex gratia payment for severance pay, and to give the Commissioner for Labour greater flexibility in determining the amount by referring to an employee's wage level before wage deduction and the employer's undertaking on this matter.