CHAPTER 2

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT

2.1 The Labour Department is the principal agency in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for the execution and co-ordination of major labour administration functions. As at 31 December 2002, the department administered 13 sets of labour legislation.Figure 2.1

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

2.2 To be a leading labour administrator in the region—our aim is to enhance the well-being of our workforce progressively and promote the safety and health of those at work.

Our Mission

	To improve the utilisation of human resources by providing a range of employment services to meet changes and needs in the labour market;
	To ensure that risks to people's safety and health at work are properly managed by legislation, education and promotion;
	To foster harmonious labour relations through promotion of good employment practices and resolution of labour disputes; and
	To improve and safeguard employees' rights and benefits in an equitable manner.

Our Values

2.4 We believe in:

	Professional excellence
	Pro-activeness
	Premier customer service
	Partnership
	Participation

		Departmental Volunteer Work Team serving the community.

Staff of the department joined the Dress Casual Day of the Community Chest.

Key Programme Areas

2.5 The department has four key areas of work, namely, Labour Relations, Safety and Health at Work, Employment Services, and Employee Rights and Benefits. The objectives of these areas are given below:

Labour Relations

To foster and maintain harmonious employer and employee relations in the non-government sector.

Safety and Health at Work

To help employers and employees control their risks at work through regulation and promotion.

Employment Services

To provide free employment assistance and counselling services to help job-seekers find suitable jobs and employers fill their vacancies.

Employee Rights and Benefits

To improve and safeguard the rights and benefits of employees.

2.6 Detailed functions and major activities of these programme areas are contained in the following chapters.

Central Support Services

2.7 The Administration Division assumes the primary responsibility for financial, personnel and general resources management.

		The Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung (left photo); and the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip (lower photo); paying familiarisation visits to Labour Department offices to enhance communication with staff.

2.8 The Information and Public Relations Division is responsible for the department's overall publicity and public relations activities. It projects a positive image of the department through the extensive use of the news media. It also co-ordinates the production of major departmental publications.

2.9 The Development Division oversees matters relating to the application of international labour instruments, participation in International Labour Organization activities, and liaison with overseas and international bodies. The division manages the departmental library and conducts studies to support policy development. The division also serves as the secretariat of the Labour Advisory Board to provide administrative support and services to the Board.

2.10 The Prosecutions Division and the Legal Services Division help enforce relevant legislation by instituting prosecutions against suspected offenders. Major statistics on prosecution work are at Figure 2.2.

2.11 The Staff Training and Development Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre organise and co-ordinate training and development activities for staff of the Labour Administration Branch and the Occupational Safety and Health Branch respectively.

2.12 An organisation chart of the Labour Department is set out at Figure 2.3.

Work Simplification

2.13 In 2002, 100 staff suggestions were received to streamline work procedures and improve efficiency.

Staff Suggestion Scheme Award presentation ceremony

Customer-oriented Services

2.14 Performance standards and targets are laid down for a wide range of services. A Customer Liaison Group has been formed to collect feedback from users.

		Members participating actively in the Customer Liaison Group Meeting.
		The Commissioner for Labour, Mrs Pamela Tan (first from right); and the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour), Mr Matthew Cheung (second from right); obtaining job-seekers' views on the department's employment services.

Advisory Boards and Committees

2.15 Various advisory boards and committees provide expert advice on labour matters and provide a useful forum for the department's consultation work. The most important one is the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) which is set up to advise the Commissioner for Labour on matters affecting labour, including legislation and Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organization. The terms of reference and composition of the LAB and its membership for the year 2002 are in Figure 2.4.

		Newly elected employee representatives of the LAB.
		The former Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law (sixth from left); the Commissioner for Labour, also the chairman of the LAB, Mrs Pamela Tan (seventh from left); and LAB Members proposing toast to the guests at the Labour Department cum LAB Spring Reception.
		Major activities and events of the Labour Department in the past year were displayed in the spring reception.
		The Commissioner for Labour hosted a discussion forum on "Creation of employment through development of local community economy" for representatives of the Home Affairs Bureau, academics and members of the Labour Advisory Board and its Committees to exchange views.