Skip to content

Labour Advisory Board Report 2007-2008 - Chapter 2

About the Board

2.1 Introduction

The Labour Advisory Board (LAB) is a non-statutory body appointed by the Chief Executive to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters including legislation and the application of international labour Conventions. The Commissioner for Labour is the ex-officio chairman of the LAB. The LAB has 12 members, six representing employers and six representing employees.

The LAB plays an important part in the formulation of labour policies and gives advice on labour legislation.

2.2 History

2.3 Terms of Reference

The LAB advises the Commissioner for Labour on matters affecting labour, including legislation and Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organisation. It may appoint such committees as it considers necessary and include any person not being a member of the LAB to serve on such committees.

2.4 Composition


2.5 LAB Election of Employee Representatives 2006

An election, by secret ballot, was held on 4 November 2006 for the registered employee unions to elect employee representatives for the 2007-2008 term. In this election, 10 candidates vied for five seats as employee representatives on the LAB. Out of a total of 378 employee unions registered as electors, 345 took part in the election.

On the employer side, the five major employer associations were invited in late 2006 to nominate representatives to sit on the LAB. The remaining two members, one representing employers and the other representing employees, were appointed by the Government ad personam.

The appointment of the 12 members was published in the Government Gazette.

The Chairman of the LAB, Mr Matthew CHEUNG Kin-chung (3rd from right), and the elected employee representatives.
The Chairman of the LAB, Mr Matthew CHEUNG Kin-chung (3rd from right), and the elected employee representatives.

2.6 Committees of the LAB

To enable the LAB to cope with the increasing range and complexity of matters requiring its attention, and to encourage greater participation by members and persons outside the LAB, five committees on special subject areas have been set up under the auspices of the LAB. They are:

  • Committee on Employees' Compensation
  • Committee on Employment Services
  • Committee on the Implementation of International Labour Standards
  • Committee on Labour Relations
  • Committee on Occupational Safety and Health

LAB members and over 30 persons including employer and employee representatives from outside the LAB, academics, professionals, as well as representatives from government departments, public bodies and concern groups, served on the five committees. Details of the terms of reference, composition and work of these committees are given in their relevant chapters. Membership lists of the committees are at Appendices I to V.