Employment | 125
Labour Administration and Services
The Labour Department is headed by 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 promotes the occupational safety, health and welfare of the workforce.
Labour Legislation
The Labour Department administers Hong Kong's labour
Kong's labour laws. Labour legislation, supplemented by administrative measures, provides the basis for the enforcement of the rights and obligations of employers and employees, and in so doing, also enables Hong Kong to meet internationally accepted labour standards.
In 2008, the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance was amended to make cancerous mesothelioma a compensable disease, and the ordinance was retitled the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance (PMCO) accordingly.
The PMCO and the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO), also started in 2008, recognise the treatment, examination and certification given by registered Chinese medicine practitioners to workers seeking compensation under the two ordinances.
There were 5 030 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department in 2008. These resulted in fines. totalling $18,138,250.
International Labour Affairs
Hong Kong applies 41 international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). These conventions lay down standards that have a significant influence on the formulation of Hong Kong's labour laws.
Hong Kong continued to participate actively in ILO activities during the year, keeping itself abreast of international labour issues. In June, a team of Hong Kong government, employer and employee representatives took part in the 97th Session of the International Labour Conference as part of the China delegation. Representatives from Hong Kong also attended other ILO seminars and workshops during the year.
Labour Advisory Board
The Labour Advisory Board is a high-level and representative tripartite consultative body. It advises the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters and ILO conventions and recommendations. The board comprises 12 members, six representing employers and six representing employees. The Commissioner for Labour is the ex officio chairman.
The board has five standing committees to deal with employees' compensation, employment services, occupational safety and health, labour relations and implementation of international labour standards respectively. There is, in addition, a
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