TNAG-0968-FCO40-1187-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 21

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D.LABOUR AND TRADE UNIONS

Introduction

71.

Through the Labour Department the Government seeks to maintain harmonious rel. tions between employers and employees and to ensure a satisfactory stand rd of safety, health and conditions of employment in the working environment. In recent years the scope of labour legislation has been widened both in the social and technical fields, and the Government has set itself the target of achieving a system of labour legislation at least broadly equivalent to the best in those neighbouring countries whose stage of economic development and social and cultural background is similar to Hong Kong's; this means in effect our principal competitors in asia excluding Japan.

Labour Legislation

72.

Hong Kong's labour legislation is contained in five major ordinances. These are the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57), the Labour Relations Ordinance (Cap. 55), the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282), the Factori es and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap. 59) and the Apprenticeship. Ordinance (Cap. 47).

73.

The Employment Ordinance makes provision for the regulation of contracts of employment, the manner and payment of wages, permissible deductions from wafes, rest days, sickness allowance, maternity protection, statutory holidays annual holidays with pay and servance payments on redundancy.

74.

The Labour Relations Ordinance provides legal backing for concili tion officers of the Labour Department in the settlement of claims and trade disputes. Legal provisions exist for the appointment of a special conciliator and for arbitration proceedings, but it has not so far been necessary to invoke these provisions.

75.

The Workmen's Compensation Ordinance lays down workers' entitlements and employers' oblig tions in respect of injuries or death caused by accidents arising out of or in the course of employment or occupational diseases.

76.

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance governs the registration of industrial undertakings and provides for special safety and industrial health measures in a variety of trades and industries.

77.

A recent study of labour legislation in neighbouring Asian countries except Japan indicates that Hong Kong compares favourably with them. Moreover, if the law enforcement aspect were taken into account, it is believed that Hong Kong would probably lead the field in a number of areas.