2.1 |
Introduction
The Labour Advisory Board (LAB) is a non-statutory body
appointed by the Chief Executive to advise the Permanent
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour)
on labour matters including legislation and the application
of international labour Conventions. The Permanent Secretary
for Economic Development and Labour (Labour) is the ex-officio
chairman of the LAB. The LAB has 12 members, six representing
employers and six representing employees.
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| 2.2 |
The LAB plays an important part
in the formulation of labour policies and gives advice on
labour legislation. |
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2.3 |
History
1927
The LAB was first appointed. |
In its early years, the LAB was composed of representatives
of large companies, government departments as well
as the armed services. There were no employee representatives. |
1946
The LAB became a tripartite body, with the Labour
Officer as the ex-officio chairman. |
There were three members representing European employers,
three representing Chinese employers and three representing
employees of major companies.
The Labour Officer was the head of the Labour Office
which was originally part of the Secretariat for Chinese
Affairs. It became an independent office (the present
Labour Department) in 1946. |
1947
The Commissioner of Labour became the ex-officio chairman
of the LAB. |
The head of the Labour Department was
retitled from the Labour Officer to the Commissioner
of Labour. |
1950
The LAB was reconstituted and election was introduced
for the first time. |
Of the four members representing employers, one
was nominated by the Employers' Federation of Hong
Kong, one by the Chinese Manufacturers' Union (renamed
the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong
in 1957), and two were appointed by the Government,
one each from European and Chinese employers.
Of the four members representing employees, two were
elected by trade unions by secret ballot, and the
other two were appointed by the Government. |
1977
The membership of the LAB was increased by four to
12. |
It was composed of six employer representatives
with four nominated by employer organisations and
two appointed by the Government.
There were six employee representatives with three
elected by trade unions and three appointed by the
Government. |
1985
The term of office of the LAB was extended from one
to two years. |
The number of elected employee representatives was
increased from three to four, and this was offset
by a reduction of appointed employee representatives
from three to two. |
1989
The number of nominated employer representatives and
elected employee representatives was increased from
four to five. |
This was offset by a reduction in the
number of appointed members on both sides to one.
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| 1993 |
Non-official members of the LAB were eligible for
an allowance for each term of office and they could
initiate agenda items to be discussed in LAB meetings.
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2003
The Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and
Labour (Labour) became the ex-officio chairman of
the LAB. |
In July 2003, the Labour Branch of the Economic
Development and Labour Bureau merged with the Labour
Department. The new organisation retained the corporate
title of Labour Department and was headed by the Permanent
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour),
who also assumed the role of the Commissioner for
Labour. |
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2.4 |
Terms of Reference
The LAB advises the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development
and Labour (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.
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2.5 |
Composition
| Chairman: |
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Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and
Labour (Labour) (Ex-officio)
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| Members: |
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Employer representatives
Five members nominated by major employer associations:
- one representing the Chinese General Chamber
of Commerce
- one representing the Employers' Federation
of Hong Kong
- one representing the Hong Kong General
Chamber of Commerce
- one representing the Chinese Manufacturers'
Association of Hong Kong
- one representing the Federation of Hong
Kong Industries
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One member appointed ad personam
Employee representatives
Five members elected by registered employee unions
One member appointed ad personam
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| Secretary: |
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A Senior Labour Officer of the Labour Department |
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2.6 |
LAB Election of Employee Representatives
2004
An election, by secret ballot, was held on 13 November
2004 for the registered employee unions to elect employee
representatives for the term 2005-2006. In this election,
nine candidates vied for five seats as employee representatives
on the LAB. Out of a total of 378 employee unions registered
as electors, 334 took part in the election.
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| 2.7 |
On the employer side, the five
major employer associations were invited in late 2004 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.
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| 2.8 |
The appointment of the 12 members
was published in the Government Gazette.
The Permanent
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
(Labour) and the Chairman of LAB, Mr Matthew CHEUNG
Kin-chung (3rd from left), pictures with the elected
employee representatives.
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2.9 |
Committees of 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
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| 2.10 |
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. |
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