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. For details of our structure and services, please visit our website: www.labour.gov.hk. |
Vision, Mission and Values |
|
2.2 |
Our VisionWe aspire to be a leading labour administrator in the region. Our aim is to enhance the well-being of our workforce progressively and to promote the safety and health of those at work at a pace commensurate with the socio-economic development of Hong Kong. |
2.3 |
Our Mission
|
2.4 |
Our ValuesWe believe in:
|
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 set out below: Labour Relations
|
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. |
2.8 | The Information and Public Relations Division is responsible for the department’s overall strategy on publicity and public relations. It mounts extensive publicity and explains the policy and work of the department to the public through the media, and co-ordinates the production of major departmental publications. |
2.9 | The Development Division mainly oversees matters relating to the application of international labour conventions, participation in International Labour Organisation activities, and liaison with labour administration counterparts in the Mainland or other countries. Besides, the division manages the departmental reference library, collects information pertaining to labour administration and co-ordinates training activities for staff of the Labour Administration Branch. In addition, the division provides secretariat support to the Labour Advisory 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 2.1. |
2.11 | The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre organises and co-ordinates training and development activities for staff of the Occupational Safety and Health Branch. |
2.12 | The Information Technology Management Unit offers support and advice to the development and management of information technology services. |
2.13 | An organisation chart of the department is set out at Figure 2.2. |
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 of the department’s pledged services. For details of our performance pledges, please visit the following webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/perform/content.htm |
Advisory Boards and Committees |
|
2.15 |
The department consults various advisory boards and committees on labour matters. The most important one is the Labour Advisory Board (LAB). It is a high-level and representative tripartite advisory body with members from the employee and employer sectors as well as the Government. It advises the Commissioner for Labour on matters affecting labour, including legislation as well as Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organisation. The terms of reference and composition of the LAB and its membership for the term 2009-2010 are in Figure 2.3. |