ENG-1997 — Page 166

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CHAPTER 8

EMPLOYMENT

THE government aims to enhance the competitiveness of the workforce so that it is well-equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic economy. To this end, the government seeks to provide suitable training and retraining to improve workers' skills; maintain and foster harmonious labour relations; progressively improve the rights and benefits of the workforce; and promote safety and health in the workplace. In 1997, the government completed a comprehensive review of both the Vocational Training Council and the Employees Retraining Scheme (ERS). The object was to improve the effectiveness of both the system of technical education and vocational training, as well as the ERS, keeping abreast of the changing needs of the economy and meeting the requirements of employers and employees' retraining.

In January 1997, the ambit of the ERS was extended to cover new arrivals. In September 1997, the Labour Department set up its first Employment and Guidance Centre for New Arrivals to provide a comprehensive range of employment services and guidance tailor-made for new arrivals.

In 1997, the government made substantial improvements to employees' rights, benefits, safety and health through a series of labour laws:

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The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance was enacted to extend for the first time safety and health protection to some 1.8 million employees in the non- industrial sectors. This was milestone legislation.

• The Employment Ordinance was amended to strengthen protection for employees against unreasonable dismissal and unreasonable variation of contract terms, and unlawful dismissals on grounds of pregnancy, sick leave, work-related injury, participation in union activities and giving evidence in legal proceedings regarding labour legislation. Amendments were enacted to improve the provisions on maternity protection, definition of wages, protection of wage payment and end-of-year payment.

The Labour Relations Ordinance was amended to establish a mediation procedure.

The Trade Unions Ordinance was amended to let employers, employees and officers and members of trade unions have immunity from civil proceedings in respect of any act done in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute.

Labour Market

Employment in all major service sectors grew steadily during the year but declined further in the manufacturing sector as the structural shift in manpower resources