ENG-1972 — Page 71

EMPLOYMENT

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employees together to improve relationships and to allow each to benefit from the experience of the other. Similar committees established in certain government depart- ments discussed a wide range of administrative, welfare and organisational problems. A total of 138 special visits were made during the year to employers who have shown positive interest in introducing joint consultation.

During the year, a comprehensive guide to the Employment Ordinance, was published and made available to employers and employees free of charge.

The continuing shortage of labour has resulted in many wage demands being made by employees. Altogether, 20 unions demanded wage increases.

The factory inspectorate of the department's Industry Division is responsible, under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, for the safety of workers factories and industrial undertakings. Advice and assistance were given to manage- ments on the guarding of dangerous parts of machinery, the adoption of safe working practices, and the general layout of factories to achieve safer working conditions.

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electrolytic Chromium Process) Regulations 1972 came into effect on September 1. They provide for special safety measures to protect workers from the harmful effects of chrome liquid and dust. A guide to the regulations, and a statutory warning notice which the proprietor is required to display at workrooms, have been distributed to all factories using this process.

During the year, the Industrial Safety Training Centre continued to provide basic and advanced safety training courses. In addition, various short specialist safety training courses for supervisory staff from industry and government depart- ments were organised. Lectures on the basic principles of accident prevention were also given to students at technical and vocational training centres. The centre also helps to organise safety committees and prepare booklets and posters on industrial safety. To add realism to instruction in safe working procedures, the centre houses a display of power-driven machinery fitted with safety guards.

The Local Employment Service provides a placement service introducing job seekers to prospective employers and vice versa. During the year, the service registered 28,503 workers, recorded 10,031 employers' orders for workers, and helped 4,841 workers to find employment.

The Youth Employment Advisory Service continued with its second stage of development which involved group guidance in the form of careers talks to senior students in secondary schools. The dissemination of careers information has been greatly expanded during the year. By the end of the year, 433 talks had been given to 117 schools, and the number of students involved was estimated at 30,500. The service also organised and participated in careers exhibitions and seminars providing careers information to students, teachers, parents and interested individuals. The first major careers exhibition sponsored by the service was held in the City Hall during the last three days of the year. Some 20 of Hong Kong's leading firms and three units of the Labour Department participated in the exhibition which attracted over 30,000 visitors.