Unlawful wage deduction
Long working hours
- 36 -
16%
5%
26%
(b)
Others (such as deployment
to other posts and failure
to arrange payment of wages by autopay)
Under the special Importation of Labour Scheme for ACP projects, workers imported are employed under a standard Employment Contract for the duration of the particular works contract provided that it does not exceed two years. This Employment Contract is governed by all labour laws applicable to local workers in Hong Kong. Employers who breach the conditions stipulated under the standard Employment Contract are liable to be prosecuted under the relevant legislation. Furthermore, if they have acted against other conditions under the Scheme, approval may not be granted for replacement workers to be brought in, and their future applications for quotas under the Scheme may be refused. Such control mechanism has been in force since the Scheme began to operate in 1991.
The Labour Department has one special enforcement team tasked with the responsibility of conducting regular inspections at both the accommodation and employment areas of imported workers for ACP projects. If any offences are detected and they are backed up by sufficient evidence, prosecution actions will be taken against the individuals involved. Two more enforcement teams will be added, one in each of the coming two financial years.
To ensure that imported workers are aware of their rights, the Department organises regular briefing sessions for imported workers to inform them of their rights under the standard Employment Contracts governing their employment in Hong Kong. The Department also operates a 24-hour complaint hotline specifically for them.
End/Wednesday, January 25, 1995