EMPLOYMENT
Over the same period, the average wage rate in the manufacturing sector rose by 2.7 per cent in money terms, or by 3.6 per cent in real terms. The overall average daily wage was $346, or $8,827 per month, for the craftsmen and operatives.
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 safeguarding 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 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.
Three items of labour legislation were enacted in 2001. The Employment Ordinance was amended to remove ambiguities in relation to the protection of pregnant employees and to introduce some technical amendments to the ordinance. The ordinance was also amended to clarify the policy intention that an employer might offset severance payment or long service payment payable to an employee upon termination of his employment, against Mandatory Provident Fund benefits previously paid to that employee. The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Gas Welding and Flame Cutting) Regulation was prescribed to require workers engaged in gas welding and flame cutting work to receive safety training and to possess a certificate.
Enforcement of Legislation
During 2001, there were 6 775 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department. Fines totalling $39,234,750 were imposed.
Labour Advisory Board
The Labour Advisory Board is a non-statutory body set up to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters, including labour policies, legislation and the application of international labour conventions. It also monitors the Supplementary Labour Scheme. Six of the 12 members represent employers, and another six represent employees. The Commissioner for Labour, or the deputy, is the ex officio chairman.
The board has set up five committees on special subjects which cover 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, and occupational safety and health as models for member states. These conventions have a significant influence on the formulation of the HKSAR's labour legislation and 40
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