ENG-1998 — Page 178

EMPLOYMENT

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found that the utilisation of quotas was slow and low. In view of the findings, it was considered inappropriate to revive the pilot scheme in its present form.

Foreign Domestic Helpers

Foreign domestic helpers may be admitted subject to the conditions that they have experience in that field of work, that their employers are bona fide Hong Kong residents prepared to offer reasonable terms of employment including wages and accommodation, and that the employers are willing to provide maintenance for the helpers in the territory as well as the costs of repatriation to their country of origin. Demand for foreign domestic helpers has increased steadily. In December 1998, there were 180 604 such helpers in Hong Kong, representing an increase of 5.6 per cent compared with 170 971 in 1997. About 78 per cent were from the Philippines.

Employment Agencies

The Labour Department's Employment Agencies Administration enforces Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations. It monitors the operation of employment agencies through licensing. In 1998, it issued 1 170 licences.

Employment Outside Hong Kong

The External Employment Service of the Labour Department administers the Contracts for Employment Outside Hong Kong Ordinance in safeguarding the interests of local employees engaged to work outside Hong Kong for foreign employers. All employment contracts involving manual workers, or non-manual employees with monthly wages not exceeding $20,000, must be attested by the Commissioner for Labour.

Occupational Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and their 28 sets of subsidiary legislation lay down the legal framework within which the occupational safety and health of employees in both the industrial and non-industrial sectors are protected. These pieces of legislation are administered by the Occupational Safety Service of the Occupational Safety and Health Branch (OSHB) of the Labour Department. To reduce accidents and guard against ill-health for employees, efforts were focused on exercising legislative control, safety training, education, publicity and promotion.

Besides regular workplace inspections to enforce the legislation, the service also launched special enforcement campaigns on construction safety, catering safety, hearing conservation, sewage and confined spaces safety, and work-at-height and scaffolding safety, plus general safety and health aspects within the non-industrial sectors and fire safety in the dry seasons.

To foster a safety culture at work, the service continued to promote the Occupational Safety Charter on the rights of employees to enjoy a safe working environment, and the employers' obligation to reduce the risk of accidents. Up to December 31, 1998, a total of 159 employer associations, employee unions, safety practitioner bodies, contractors, enterprises and utility companies had subscribed voluntarily to the Charter. Other promotional activities included safety campaigns,