The Labour Department, headed by the Commissioner for Labour, implements labour policies and labour legislation for the promotion of harmonious labour relations and responsible trade unionism, the safeguarding of employees' rights and benefits and the protection of the safety, health and welfare of the workforce. It also provides free employment services to employers and job-seekers.

Labour Legislation

The Labour Department administers labour laws in force in the HKSAR. Labour legislation has been enacted which, supplemented by administrative measures, enables Hong Kong to maintain internationally accepted labour standards.

    Six items of labour legislation were enacted in 2002. Among them, the Employees Compensation Assistance Ordinance was amended to reform the Employees Compensation Assistance Scheme with a view to restoring its long-term financial viability. Amendments were also made to the subsidiary legislation of the Employment Ordinance to prohibit the employment of young persons under 18 years of age in any dangerous trade as defined in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance.

    The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Officers and Safety Supervisors) Regulations were amended to extend their coverage to the container handling industry and to introduce a mechanism for the renewal and revalidation of registration of safety officers. The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations were also amended to prohibit the employment of persons under 16 years of age to work on any woodworking machine. The Occupational Safety and Health (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation was enacted to protect the safety and health of employees who use display screen equipment at work for a prolonged period of time.

    During 2002, there were 5 993 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department. Fines totalling $36,140,500 were imposed. With stepped-up enforcement action, there were 198 prosecution for wage offences in 2002, representing a marked increase of 108 per cent over 2001.

International Labour Affairs

The international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) prescribe standards on matters such as labour administration, employment, and occupational safety and health as models for member states. These conventions have a significant influence on the formulation of the HKSAR's labour legislation. On August 8, 2002, the ILO registered a notification from the Central People's Government concerning the application of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) to the HKSAR. The number of conventions applied here was thus increased to 41. This compares favourably with most member states of the ILO in the Asia-Pacific region.

    The HKSAR continues to participate in the activities of the ILO. In 2002, representatives from the HKSAR participated in the 90th Session of the International Labour Conference as advisers to the delegation of the People's Republic of China. The HKSAR also participated in regional activities of the ILO, under the name 'Hong Kong, China'.