ENG-1963 — Page 78

52

EMPLOYMENT

young persons, holidays with pay, sickness allowances, and such other non-statutory inspection services as may be required. To- gether with the Registry of Trade Unions, the Labour Department is primarily responsible for carrying out Government's labour policy and the Commissioner of Labour is the principal adviser to the Government on labour and industrial relations. He is ex officio chairman of the Labour Advisory Board, on which both labour and management are represented, and at present chairman of the Standing Committee on Technical Education and Vocational Training. He is also, ex officio, a member of the Radiation Board and the Port Committee. He is concurrently Commissioner of Mines.

All labour legislation is initiated in the department, which is also responsible for ensuring that Hong Kong's obligations under international labour conventions are observed. The registration of industrial undertakings, coupled with regular inspection, is the basis for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions. The department conciliates in disputes between management and labour and offers advice on the establishment of appropriate machinery for joint consultation or negotiation. Trade unions are guided in their formation and classes are organized to assist union officials in accountancy and administration. Largely through the investiga- tions of the labour inspectorate and the health visitors, the depart- ment administers legislation governing workmen's compensation and the working conditions of women and young persons employed in industry. The department also provides training in supervisory techniques. Special protection is given to emigrant labour and help in seeking work is given to redundant workers from military and civil establishments.

Throughout the year, posters on industrial safety were displayed in factories, and the press reported on many aspects of the depart- ment's work. Talks on general safety in workplaces and on safe practices in specific processes were given by officers of the depart- ment to members of employers' associations, workers' unions and students of the Technical College. Two Safety Committees, cover- ing shipbuilding and repair and cargo-handling, continued to hold regular meetings.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

Trade Unions. With few exceptions trade unions are affiliated to, or associated with, one of two local federations which bear