ENG-2008 — Page 181

Employment | 133

wage protection for cleaning workers and security guards through voluntary and non-legislative means.

Although an overall review in mid-October 2008 found that the WPM did bring about a fresh understanding of 'wage protection' and appreciation of 'corporate social responsibility', only a little more than half (52 per cent) of the relevant workers benefited from it. As a result, the Government decided to legislate for a statutory minimum wage instead.

Legislating for a Statutory Minimum Wage

Some members of the business community and the labour sector are of the view that if the Government introduces a statutory minimum wage, employees in all trades and industries should be covered at the same time. Noting that cleaning workers and security guards are not the only low-income earners and that there is job mobility among low-income workers, the Government has decided to seek Legislative Council approval for an across-the-board statutory minimum wage.

Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board

The Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board determines claims under the Employment Ordinance and in accordance with individual employment contracts. The board hears and judges employment claims involving not more than 10 claimants for sums of money not exceeding $8,000 per claimant. During the year, the board dealt with 2 044 claims and approved awards amounting to $4.6 million.

Labour Tribunal

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

During the year, 7 199 cases were filed with the tribunal, of which 7 132 were initiated by employees and 67 by employers. Of these, 59.4 per cent were referred by the Labour Department's Labour Relations Division after unsuccessful conciliation attempts. In 2008, the tribunal dealt with 4 867 cases and granted awards totalling more than $254 million, or 1 199 cases and $11 million less than in 2007.

Imported Workers

Employment of Professionals

Non-local people with special talent and professionals who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to Hong Kong may take up employment in Hong Kong if they have secured a job that cannot be readily taken up by the local workforce and receive a remuneration package broadly commensurate with those in the market. Bona fide business people and entrepreneurs who can make substantial contribution to the economy are also welcome to establish a presence in Hong Kong, bringing with them capital and expertise. During the year, 33 210 people with special talent and professionals from more than 100 countries/territories were admitted for employment.