Employment | 147
The Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme compensates employees suffering from noise-induced deafness due to employment in specified noisy occupations. It is administered by the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board. In 2005, the board approved 60 applications for compensation due to employment- related, noise-induced deafness, and paid out $5.65 million in compensation. The board also approved 210 applications for payments for hearing aids amounting to $550,000.
Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board
The Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board adjudicates claims under the Employment Ordinance and in accordance with individual employment contracts. The board hears and determines employment claims involving not more than 10 claimants for a sum of money not exceeding $8,000 per claimant. During the year, the board concluded 2 539 cases and made awards amounting to $5.9 million.
Labour Tribunal
The Labour Tribunal is part of the Judiciary and provides a quick, inexpensive and informal method of adjudicating disputes between employees and employers, which are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Minor Employment Claims. Adjudication Board.
In 2005, there were 6 900 cases filed with the tribunal, of which 6 841 were initiated by employees and 59 by employers. Of these, 85.4 per cent were referred by the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department after unsuccessful conciliation attempts. During the year, the tribunal dealt with 6 570 cases and made awards amounting to more than $335 million, down by 2 052 cases and $153 million compared to 2004.
Imported Workers
General Policy on Entry for Employment
The Immigration Department is responsible for handling matters relating to the entry of foreigners for employment. Foreigners may work or invest in Hong Kong if they possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong and are employed with a remuneration broadly commensurate with the market level, or they can make a substantial contribution to the economy.
Genuine business people and entrepreneurs are welcome to establish a presence in Hong Kong, bringing with them capital and expertise. Qualified professionals, technical staff, administrators and managerial personnel are also admitted with the minimum formalities. During the year, 21 119 foreign professionals and people with technical, administrative or managerial skills from more than 100 countries/territories were admitted for employment.
Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals
The Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals was implemented in 2003, replacing the Admission of Talents Scheme and the Admission of Mainland