The Labour Department is headed by the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour), who also assumes the role of the Commissioner for Labour. It formulates and implements labour policies, enforces labour legislation, provides free employment services to employers and job-seekers, promotes harmonious labour relations and responsible trade unionism, safeguards employees' rights and benefits and protects the occupational safety, health and welfare of the workforce.

Labour Legislation

The Labour Department administers Hong Kong's labour laws. Labour legislation has been enacted which, supplemented by administrative measures, enables Hong Kong to meet internationally accepted labour standards.

In 2005, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance was amended to include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Avian Influenza A as prescribed occupational diseases. The amendment aims at expediting the compensation process for employees infected with the two occupational diseases in the course of their work in specified high-risk occupations. A corresponding amendment has also been made to the list of occupational diseases specified in the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance to enable the Labour Department to better monitor the health of workers who are at risk of occupational diseases.

During 2005, there were 5 507 prosecutions for breaches of various ordinances and regulations administered by the Labour Department. Fines totalling $19,829,997 were imposed.

International Labour Affairs

Hong Kong applies 41 international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). These conventions prescribe international standards on various labour matters and have a significant influence on the formulation of Hong Kong's labour legislation.

In 2005, Hong Kong continued to participate actively in the activities of the ILO in order to keep abreast of the latest developments in international labour matters. In June, a tripartite team comprising government, employer and employee representatives from Hong Kong participated in the 93rd Session of the International Labour Conference as advisers to the delegation of China. Representatives from Hong Kong also attended other seminars and workshops organised by the ILO during the year.

Labour Advisory Board

The Labour Advisory Board is a high-level and fully representative tripartite advisory body with members from the employee and employer sectors as well as the Government. It advises the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour) on matters affecting labour, including legislation and conventions and recommendations of the ILO. The Labour Advisory Board comprises 12 members, six representing employers and six representing employees. The Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour) is the ex officio chairman.

The board has five committees and one working group on special subjects which cover employees' compensation, employment services, occupational safety and health, labour relations, the implementation of international labour standards and the processing of applications for labour importation under the Supplementary Labour Scheme.