Anuual Report 2006
Chapter 7
International Labour Affairs
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International Instruments Setting Out Labour Standards
International Labour Conventions set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) prescribe relevant labour standards for member states. As at year end, 41 International Labour Conventions were applied to the HKSAR, with or without modification (Figure 7.1). Other international instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, also touch on labour standards, albeit to a much smaller extent.
A comprehensive set of labour legislation and administrative measures are in place in the HKSAR to enable the Government to implement internationally accepted labour standards. Through continuous improvements to labour legislation and administrative measures, the HKSAR maintains a level of labour standards broadly equivalent to those of neighbouring countries with similar economic development as well as social and cultural background.
Participation in the Activities of the ILO
The HKSAR may participate in the activities of the ILO, either as part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China or, for activities which are not limited to states, on its own using the name "Hong Kong, China".
Contacts with Other Labour Administrations
Delegations of labour administrators from the Mainland and overseas countries visited the Labour Department in the year. The department also sent study missions to different provinces in the Mainland and overseas countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, the USA, the UK and Australia. Apart from strengthening mutual cooperation, these visits provided opportunities for representatives of the department to exchange views and experience with its counterparts on various labour issues.