132 | Employment
Labour Administration and Services
The Labour Department is headed by the Commissioner for Labour. It formulates and implements labour policies, enforces labour legislation, provides free employment services to employers and job-seekers, promotes harmonious labour relations and responsible trade unionism, safeguards employees' rights and benefits, and watches. over the occupational safety, health and welfare of the workforce.
Labour Legislation
The Labour Department administers Hong Kong's labour laws. Labour legislation has been enacted which, supplemented by administrative measures, enables Hong Kong to meet internationally accepted labour standards.
In 2007, the Employment Ordinance (EO) was amended to adopt a new mode of calculation to ensure that all components of wages, as defined under the EO, including contractual commissions, are included in the calculation of relevant statutory entitlements.
There were 5 368 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department in 2007. These resulted in fines totalling $23,127,751.
International Labour Affairs
Hong Kong applies 41 international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). These conventions lay down standards that have a significant influence on the formulation of Hong Kong's labour laws.
Hong Kong continued to participate actively in ILO activities during the year to keep up to date with international labour issues. In June, a team comprising government, employer and employee representatives from Hong Kong took part in the 96th Session of the International Labour Conference as part of the China delegation. In August, a Hong Kong delegation attended the Asian Employment Forum in Beijing.
Labour Advisory Board
The Labour Advisory Board is a high-level tripartite and fully representative body comprising members from the employee and employer sectors as well as the Government. It advises the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters and ILO conventions and recommendations. The Labour Advisory Board comprises 12 members, six representing employers and six representing employees. The Commissioner for Labour is the ex officio chairman.
The board has five committees and one working group on special subjects including employees' compensation, employment services, occupational safety and health, labour relations, implementation of international labour standards as well as applications for labour importation under the Supplementary Labour Scheme.
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