Saturday, December 1, 1973
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT
Workers Advised To Obtain Contracts For Their Protection
Manual workers proceeding overseas for employment are advised to
enter into a contract with their prospective employers in accordance with
the provisions of the Contracts for Overseas Employment Ordinance.
The head of the Employment Division of the Labour Department,
Mrs. Soo Mok Sau-hau, said today the purpose of a contract was to safeguard
the workers' interests and well-being.
She said the contract must be in written form and should set out
in full detail the rights and obligations of the parties concerned. It
should include, among other things, the right of the employee to repatriation;
remittances to the employee's family, hours of work, holidays and restdays,
provisions for sick leave, wages, and compensation for injury at work.
The contract must be attested by the Commissioner of Labour, who
might require a Hong Kong resident nominated by the employer to furnish
him with a guarantee or bond. "This is to ensure that the guarantor will
indemnify the employee for all losses, and expenses and meet claims for
damages in case the employer fails to carry out any of his obligations under
the contract", she said.
Mrs. Soo stressed that the Commissioner had the power to refuse to
attest a contract the terms of which were unfair to the employee.
The Overseas Employment Service of the Labour Department administers
the Contracts for Overseas Employment Ordinance. Those who intend to take
up employment overseas but have not yet drawn up a contract with their employer
should as soon as possible contact officers of the Service for advice.
(Tel. No. 5-282523 ext. 45 and 46).
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