XN000022-1995-08-10 — Page 8

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She was briefed on the work of the department by the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Stephen Ip; Deputy Commissioner, Mr Yiu Yan-nang; and Assistant Commissioners, Mrs Angela Ho, Mr Mak Sai-yiu, Mr James Yeung and Mr William Siu.

During her tour to the Labour Inspection Division, Mrs Chan was told that the division's main responsibility was to inspect workplaces to ensure that regulations on hours of work as well as legislative provisions on terms and conditions of employment of local and imported workers were complied with.

She listened to pre-recorded information on labour legislation provided by the General Enquiry Telephone Service which handled some 1.5 million enquiries a year. The enquiry service recently introduced Putonghua as a new language option in addition to Cantonese and English.

Mrs Chan also called on the Factory Inspectorate Division's (FID) Industrial Safety Training Centre where safety equipment and other exhibits on industrial safety were on display. She then visited some classrooms where training courses on safety legislation and safety talks were held from time to time.

Apart from providing training and advice to industry, Mrs Chan was informed of the measures taken by FID to promote the health and safety of workers at work. It played an important role in inspecting industrial workplaces and advising the management of establishments on the means to provide a safer and healthier working environment.

At the Selective Placement Division (SPD), Mrs Chan saw disabled persons undergo vocational assessment by means of a modern computerised assessment system and other conventional equipment.

She learned that the division's Promotion and Publicity Unit organised regular promotional activities to enhance public understanding of the disabled and increase their employment opportunities.

These activities include exhibitions, seminars, presentation ceremonies to commend outstanding employers and disabled employees, targeted campaigns to canvass vacancies as well as television and radio programmes.