ENG-2003 — Page 181

EMPLOYMENT

receive ex gratia benefits from the Government under the Pneumoconiosis Ex Gratia Scheme.

The Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme compensates employees suffering from noise-induced deafness due to employment in specified noisy occupations. It is administered by the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board. The Occupational Deafness (Compensation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2003, which came into effect on May 16, 2003, has introduced improvements to the scheme and additional benefits to persons who are entitled to occupational deafness compensation, including the reimbursement of expenses in relation to hearing assistive devices and rehabilitation services.

The Employees Compensation Assistance Scheme provides a safety net for injured employees or family members of deceased employees so that they can receive compensation from the scheme in cases where employers default payment of compensation for work-related injuries or insurers become insolvent. The scheme is financed by a levy imposed on all employees' compensation insurance policies taken out by employers.

Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board

The Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board adjudicates claims under the Employment Ordinance and in accordance with individual employment contracts. The board hears and determines employment claims involving not more than 10 claimants for a sum of money not exceeding $8,000 per claimant. During the year, the board concluded 2 763 cases and made awards amounting to $6.6 million.

Labour Tribunal

The Labour Tribunal is part of the Judiciary and provides a quick, inexpensive and informal method of adjudicating various types of disputes between employees and employers which are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board.

In 2003, there were 11 263 cases filed in the tribunal of which 11 232 were initiated by employees and 31 by employers. Of these cases, 91.9 per cent were referred by the Labour Relations Division of the Labour Department after unsuccessful conciliation. attempts. During the year, the tribunal dealt with a total of 11 385 cases and made. awards amounting to more than $705 million.

Stepping Up Enforcement Against Wage Offences

To expedite investigation and prosecution concerning wage offences, the Labour Department has a dedicated unit to conduct in-depth investigations into suspected breaches of the Employment Ordinance at the earliest instance. In 2003, the department secured convictions for 445 summonses on wage offences, representing a significant increase of 220 per cent compared with 139 summonses in 2002. The department has taken swift action to detect wage offences through inspections of targeted workplaces. It has also strengthened its educational and promotional efforts to remind employers of their statutory obligation to pay wages on time and to educate employees on the right to lodge claims and the importance of serving as prosecution. witnesses.

141