TNAG-0786-FCO40-990-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-labour-and-trade-union--1978 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

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機密

8.9 There are 201 inspectors in the 13 State Offices of the Labour Department. Managements are notified before inspections are made. The reason for so doing is to ensure that wage records and other documents can be made available on demand during the visit and a proper employer's

representative is present to clarify doubtful points on the spot. Selected workers are normally interviewed separately to verify company statements and records. Surprise inspections are most unusual except for the purpose of investigating complaints. In 1975 there were 184 prosecutions and the fines totalled over M$23,000 (HK$46,000).

8.10 Over half a million or about 15% of the labour force is unionised, and trade unions are generally responsible. Collective agreements are widely used for the regulation of the terms and conditions of employment in the manufacturing and commercial sectors. With the co-operation of trade union officials in reporting malpractices, the task of enforcing labour legislation has been made

much easier.

The Philippines

8.11

Law enforcement is not effective. The Philippine Government adopts an easy-going attitude and allows considerable flexibility for the interpre- tation of the law, a situation often exploited by

labour lawyers.

8.12 The number of labour inspection officers (known as Labour Regulation Officers) is small : about 200 for the whole country, of which 60 are

stationed in Manila which has a population of over

7 million. Because of the manpower constraint, regular labour inspections can only be carried out among industrial establishments and in selected trades on a priority basis. Other inspections are made on receipt of complaints. Special emphasis is placed on the protection of employees' wages.

CONFIDENTIAL # Z