ENG-1996 — Page 166

EMPLOYMENT

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The government will continue to regulate voluntarily established occupational retirement schemes under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance. By year's end, 14 923 schemes had been registered and 1 859 schemes were exempted. All registered schemes must comply with the requirements and regulations of the ordinance.

Labour Administration and Services

The Labour Department, headed by the Commissioner for Labour," implements labour policies and labour legislation for the promotion of harmonious labour relations and responsible trade unionism, the safeguard of employees' rights and benefits and the protection of the safety, health and welfare of the working community. It also provides free employment services to employers and job-seekers.

Labour Conditions

The employment of children under 15 years old is prohibited in industrial undertakings. Children aged 13 and 14 years may be employed in non-industrial establishments, subject to the condition that they attend full-time schooling if they have not yet completed three years of secondary education and other provisions. which are aimed at protecting their safety, health and welfare.

The Labour Inspectorate of the Labour Department is responsible for monitoring employers' compliance with requirements in the Employment Ordinance relating to the employment of women, young persons and children, payment of wages, annual leave and holidays, sickness allowance and maternity protection. The ordinance applies equally to local and foreign workers.

Labour Legislation

As the principal adviser to the government on labour affairs, the Commissioner for Labour initiates proposals to enact new labour laws and amend existing ones. Labour legislation has been enacted which, supplemented by administrative measures, enables Hong Kong to maintain internationally accepted standards.

During 1996, 16 pieces of labour legislation were enacted. Among them, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance was amended to empower the Commissioner for Labour to issue suspension or improvement notices to improve industrial safety.

The Employment Ordinance was amended to increase the rate of sickness allowance from two-thirds to four-fifths of an employee's normal wages. The Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance was also amended to extend the period of making application to the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund from four to six months from cessation of employment and to raise the maximum payment in respect of arrears of wages severance payment and wages in lieu of notice.

The Employees' Compensation Ordinance was amended to increase the rate of periodical payment from two-thirds to four-fifths of an employee's normal earnings and to remove the waiting period of three days of temporary incapacity for entitlement to periodical payment. Another amendment was made to empower the Commissioner for Labour to assess compensation by issuing certificates of assessment for all cases involving permanent loss of earning capacity.