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Employment

The Minimum Wage Commission is an independent statutory body established under the ordinance. Its main function is to report to the Chief Executive in Council its recommendation as to the amount of the minimum hourly wage, at least once every two years. It submitted its most recent report in October, recommending that the SMW rate should be maintained at $37.50 per hour.

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 2020, the department conducted 1,405 inspections of employment agencies, prosecuted 11 non- compliant agencies successfully, issued or renewed 3,331 licences, and revoked or refused to issue seven licences.

Working Hours Policy

The department engages its 11 industry-based tripartite committees, including two set up specifically to discuss working hours arrangements of the cleaning services and elderly homes. industries, to formulate sector-specific guidelines that will suggest arrangements for working hours, overtime compensation and good working hours management measures for employers and their employees to adopt and apply.

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 2020, the government continued drafting legislation to abolish the practice of employers using their mandatory MPF contributions and other retirement fund contributions to offset their employees' severance and long service payments and to implement the support

measures.

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. In 2020, 21,612 applications were approved from people from more than 100 countries and territories.

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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