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Employment

The Minimum Wage Commission is an independent statutory body established under the ordinance. Its main function is to recommend the statutory minimum wage rate to the Chief Executive in Council when required by the Chief Executive to do so.

Regulation of Employment Agencies

The department enforces Part XII of the Employment Ordinance, the Employment Agency Regulations and the Code of Practice for Employment Agencies through issuing licences, conducting inspections, investigating complaints and prosecuting offenders. In 2019, the department conducted 2,043 inspections of employment agencies, prosecuted 10 non- compliant agencies successfully, issued or renewed 3,266 licences, and revoked or refused to issue or renew 13 licences.

Working Hours Policy

In 2019, the department continued to engage its 11 industry-based tripartite committees, comprising nine existing committees and two set up specifically to discuss working hours. arrangements of the cleaning services and elderly homes industries. The aim is to formulate working hours guidelines that will suggest sector-specific working hours arrangements, overtime compensation arrangements and good working hours management measures for the reference and adoption of employers and their employees in these sectors.

Retirement Protection

All employees, except those who are not required by law to join a local retirement scheme, receive retirement protection under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Schemes Ordinance, Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance or other statutory pension plans.

In 2019, the government worked on the implementation details of support measures and the enabling legislation to abolish the practice of employers using their mandatory MPF contributions and the comparable part of other retirement fund contributions to offset their employees' severance payment and long service payment.

Entry of Non-locals for Employment

Professionals

People who possess special skills, knowledge or experience of value to Hong Kong may apply to take up employment if they have secured a job that cannot be taken up readily by the local workforce and offers a remuneration package broadly commensurate with the prevailing market level. Entrepreneurs, including start-ups, are also welcome to bring capital and expertise to Hong Kong if they can make a substantial contribution to the economy. During the year, 55,342 people from more than 100 countries and territories availed themselves of this opportunity.

Students

Fresh graduates of full-time, locally accredited programmes at degree or higher level may apply to stay and work in Hong Kong for one year after graduation.

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