ENG-2004 — Page 185

Employment | 151

Wages

Wage rates are calculated on a time basis, either daily or monthly, or on an incentive basis according to the volume of work performed. The average wage rate for employees up to the supervisory level, including daily-rated and monthly-rated employees, decreased by 1.3 per cent in money terms between December 2003 and December 2004. After discounting changes in consumer prices, the average wage rate decreased by 1.7 per cent in real terms.

In December 2004, the average monthly wage rate for supervisory, technical, clerical and miscellaneous non-production workers in the wholesale, retail and import/export trades, restaurants and hotels sector was $11,549. Based on the wage indices, the average wage rate for this group decreased by 1.7 per cent in money terms, or by 2.2 per cent in real terms, compared with December 2003.

Over the same period, the average wage rate in the manufacturing sector decreased by 1.7 per cent in money terms, or by 2.2 per cent in real terms. The overall average daily wage was $327 for craftsmen and operatives.

Labour Administration and Services

The Labour Department is headed by the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour), who also assumes the role of the Commissioner for Labour. It formulates and implements labour policies, enforces labour legislation, provides free employment services to employers and job-seekers, promotes harmonious labour relations and responsible trade unionism, safeguards employees' rights and benefits and protects the occupational safety, health and welfare of the workforce.

Labour Legislation

The Labour Department administers the labour laws in the HKSAR. Labour legislation has been enacted which, supplemented by administrative measures, enables Hong Kong to maintain internationally accepted labour standards.

In 2004, the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance was amended to correspond to the amendments made to the Industrial Training (Construction Industry) Ordinance to extend the construction industry levy to electrical and mechanical works in the construction industry.

During 2004, there were 5 935 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department. Fines totalling $25,711,440 were imposed.

International Labour Affairs

The international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) prescribe standards on matters such as labour administration, employment, and occupational safety and health as models for member states. These conventions have a significant influence on the formulation of Hong Kong's labour legislation. Currently, 41 conventions are applied here. This number compares favourably with most member states of the ILO in the Asia-Pacific region.