ENG-1986 — Page 111

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EMPLOYMENT

application of conventions it ratifies. This is done after full consultation with the Hong Kong Government. As at December 1986, Hong Kong has applied 29 conventions in full and 19 with modification, making a total of 48. This compares favourably with most member nations in the region.

During the year, there were 3 589 prosecutions for breaches of ordinances and regula- tions administered by the Labour Department. Fines totalling $6,568,500 were imposed. Since April 1, 1986, prosecutions under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance and its regulations have been conducted by the Environmental Protection Department.

Wages and Conditions of Work

There is no statutory minimum wage rate in Hong Kong. The wage levels prevailing are essentially the result of an interplay of the economic forces of supply and demand.

Wage rates are usually calculated on a time basis such as hourly, daily or monthly, or on an incentive basis depending on the volume of work performed. The pay period is normally 15 days for daily-rated and piece-rated workers and a month for monthly-rated workers. Most semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the manufacturing industries are piece-rated, although daily rates of pay are also common. Monthly-rated industrial workers are usually employed in skilled trades or in technical, supervisory, clerical and secretarial capacities. On the other hand, monthly rates of pay are most common for workers in the non- manufacturing industries. Men and women receive more or less the same rate for piece-work. Women on average are paid less when working on a time-basis, but there may not be strict job comparability.

Wage rates of manufacturing workers continued to increase in money terms during the year. After allowing for rises in consumer prices, there was an increase in wage rates of 4.1 per cent in real terms during the 12 months ending in September 1986. The rate of increase in wage rates was faster compared with the previous year, while unemployment and underemployment remained stable at a low level due to the continued expansion of the service sectors of the economy.

In September 1986, 75 per cent of manual workers engaged in manufacturing industries received daily wage rates (including fringe benefits) of $87 or more (males $102 and females $83), and 25 per cent received $126 or more (males $149 and females $115). The overall average daily wage rate was $108 (males $128 and females $99).

Besides granting rest days, statutory holidays, paid annual leave and other entitlements under the Employment Ordinance, a number of employers in the manufacturing industries provide workers with subsidised meals or food allowances, attendance bonuses and free medical treatment. Free or subsidised transport is also provided by some establishments. Many workers are entitled to a Lunar New Year bonus of one month's pay or more under their employment contracts. An increasing number of employers are introducing provident fund schemes to provide additional welfare benefits for their employees.

The Employment of Children Regulations, made under the Employment Ordinance, prohibit the employment of children under the age of 15 in any industrial undertakings. Children who have attained the age of 13 and who have completed Form 3 education may be employed in non-industrial establishments, subject to stringent conditions which aim at ensuring a minimum of nine years' education and at protecting their health, safety and welfare.

Under the Women and Young Persons (Industry) Regulations, young persons aged 15 to 17 and women are permitted to work eight hours a day and six days a week in industry. Women and young persons aged 16 and 17 must be given a break of at least 30 minutes