ENG-2018 — Page 153

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Employment

The Employment Ordinance was amended such that with effect from 19 October, the court or the Labour Tribunal may make an order for reinstatement or re-engagement as requested by an employee in a case of unreasonable and unlawful dismissal without having to secure the employer's agreement as a prerequisite.

Labour Market

In 2018, the labour force totalled 3.98 million people, of whom 50 per cent were men and 50 per cent were women. The total represented a rise of 0.8 per cent over 2017.

The majority, or 88.3 per cent, were employed in the service sectors: 29.6 per cent in the import/ export, wholesale and retail trades, and accommodation (covering hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short-term accommodation) and food services; 27 per cent in public administration, and social and personal services; 20.7 per cent in financing and insurance, real estate, and professional and business services; and 11 per cent in transport, storage, postal and courier services, and information and communications. Only 2.4 per cent worked in manufacturing.

The overall unemployment rate dropped from 3.1 per cent in 2017 to 2.8 per cent in 2018, while the underemployment rate fell from 1.2 per cent to 1.1 per cent. Total employment rose by about 43,800 to 3,867,000.

Employment Earnings and Wages

In 2018, 12.2 per cent of employed persons earned less than $5,000 a month and 24.2 per cent earned $30,000 and above a month. Median monthly employment earnings rose by $1,000 to $16,500 from $15,500 in 2017. The median monthly employment earnings for higher-skilled workers, such as managers and administrators, professionals and associate professionals, were $30,000 in 2018, while those for lower-skilled workers were $12,700.

Wage rates as measured by the Nominal Wage Index for workers up to supervisory level increased 4.1 per cent in December 2018 over a year earlier.

International Labour Affairs

Hong Kong applies 31 international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The city puts in place comprehensive legislative and administrative measures to implement standards set by these conventions.

Hong Kong takes part actively in ILO activities. In June, a team comprising representatives of employers, employees and the government attended the 107th Session of the International Labour Conference as part of the People's Republic of China delegation.

Labour Advisory Board

The Labour Advisory Board, a representative tripartite consultative body, advises the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters including legislation and ILO conventions and recommendations. Chaired by the commissioner, it has six members representing employers

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