ENG-1990 — Page 141

EMPLOYMENT

112

conferences and exhibitions, and publishing newsletters, information leaflets and pamphlets on a wide range of labour legislation and labour relations matters.

To meet the increasing demands at district level, an establishment of four labour officers with supporting staff was created in 1989 to liaise with district boards and their committees and individual establishments in the districts. Promotional activities at district level ex- panded considerably during the year, including talks on labour legislation, audio-visual shows, training courses, seminars and exhibitions.

Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund

Employees who are owed wages by their insolvent employers may apply to the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund for ex-gratia payment. The fund covers wages not exceed- ing $8,000 for services rendered during a period of four months preceding the date of application. It also covers seven days' wages in lieu of notice, up to $2,000 and severance payment up to $4,000.

During the year, the fund received 6 206 applications and paid out a total of $23.07 million, involving 4 223 of the applications.

The Labour Tribunal

The Labour Tribunal, which is part of the judiciary, is intended to provide a quick, inexpensive and informal method of adjudicating certain types of disputes between employees and employers, with minimum formality.

In 1990, the tribunal heard 3 942 cases involving employees as claimants, and a further 576 cases initiated by employers. More than $38 million was awarded by the presiding officers. Of these cases, 93 per cent were referred by the Labour Relations Service after unsuccessful conciliation attempts.

Finding Employment

The Employment Services Division of the Labour Department consists of the Local Em- ployment Service, Central Recruitment Unit and Higher Education Employment Service.

The Local Employment Service provides free placement services to help employers recruit staff and job-seekers to find suitable employment. It operates from 13 offices which are linked by a facsimile system for the rapid exchange of vacancy information. It provides co-ordinated services to private companies with territory-wide recruitment needs. The Central Recruitment Unit is a central agency for the recruitment of non-pensionable staff, such as artisans, motor drivers and workmen in all government departments. To help alleviate the labour shortage, the Local Employment Service intensified its publicity efforts through the mass media and set up registration counters in special exhibitions to encourage more people to use the free employment service.

The Higher Education Employment Service provides free employment assistance to job-seekers who possess university, post-secondary or professional qualifications. It has computerised its operation to provide job-matching and produce promotional materials. Vacancy information is disseminated regularly to universities abroad for the benefit of Hong Kong overseas students.

The Selective Placement Division provides a free employment counselling and placement service for the physically disabled, mentally retarded and ex-mentally ill persons seeking open employment. During the year, the division launched a series of activities to publicise