CHAPTER 1

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 2002

1.1 2002 was an eventful year for the Labour Department. The following is a glance of some of our major activities and events.

Employment Services

Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme(YWETS)

1.2 The $400 million YWETS was launched in July 2002 to provide on-the-job training of six to twelve months for young people aged between 15 and 24 with educational attainment below degree level. Our target is to provide 10 000 training places for young people in two years. As at the end of December 2002, over 2 300 employers offered about 9 500 training vacancies under the YWETS, and over 6 000 trainees secured employment.

Youth Pre-employment Training Programme (YPTP)

1.3 In 2002, the YPTP provided training to some 12 700 young persons aged between 15 and 19. After completion of the training, some trainees decided to pursue further studies. About 70 percent of the remaining trainees had secured employment. New training courses were added and the careers counselling and support services enhanced.

Installation of Vacancy Search Terminals at Job Centres

1.4 About 100 new vacancy search terminals were installed in 2002 at all Job Centres. These popular terminals can retrieve comprehensive and up-to-date vacancy information from a huge databank promptly, and print out selected vacancies for application. Also, a digital display system has been set up at each centre to show employment information non-stop. Computers equipped with resume and application letter building application are now available.

Enriching the Content of the Interactive Employment Service Website

1.5 In 2002, two dedicated webpages were developed in the Interactive Employment Service website. One assists educational institutions to recruit staff, and job-seekers to obtain vacancy information, practical tips for applying for positions in educational organisations and other useful reference. Another webpage contains information on employment in the Mainland, including legal provisions, employment agencies and exprience sharing, etc. Both dedicated webpages have tailor-made search engines to match suitable jobs for job-seekers.

Outstanding Disabled Employees Award and Enlightened Employers Award 2002

1.6 These Awards were to commend employees with a disability for their outstanding performance at work and employers for their distinctive efforts in providing employment opportunities for people with a disability.

Safety and Health at Work

Legislative Improvements on Safety Training

1.7 To ensure safety and health at work, we brought into operation in September 2002 the requirements on training and certification of operators of certain loadshifting machines under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation. These machines include fork-lift trucks used in industrial undertakings, bulldozers, loaders, excavators, trucks and lorries used on construction sites.

Employee Rights and Benefits

Reform of the Employees Compensation Assistance Scheme

1.8 The Employees Compensation Assistance (Amendment) Ordinance 2002 came into operation in July last year, introducing reform measures to restore the long-term financial viability of the Employees Compensation Assistance Scheme (ECAS). The ECAS provides assistance to injured employees who fail to receive their entitlements for employment-related injuries from employers or insurers after exhausting legal and financially viable means of recovery. It also protects employers against default of insolvent insurers. The reform measures include the introduction of relief payment in lieu of the assistance for common law damages, adjustment of levy rates and imposition of surcharge on uninsured employers.

Vigorous Enforcement to Combat Illegal Employment

1.9 Territory-wide joint enforcement operations were mounted with the Police and the Immigration Department to combat illegal employment in order to protect the employment opportunities of local workers. Special campaigns to retail shops, eating places, market stalls, renovation sites and elderly care homes were frequently staged. An extensive publicity campaign was also carried out.

Enhanced Protection for Employees of Government Service Contractors

1.10 To protect labour rights, we improved communication with procuring departments so that the latter can strengthen monitoring their outsourcing service contractors who mainly deploy low-skilled workers. Complaints were investigated promptly and vigorous workplace inspections conducted. Offence records were fed to these departments for administrative sanctions against contractors. Briefings in labour laws were also given to the procuring departments and their contractors.

Labour Relations

New Unit to Step Up Enforcement Against Wage Offences

1.11 To expedite investigation and prosecution against wage offences, a new Employment Claims Investigation Unit was set up in September 2002 to conduct in-depth investigation into suspected breaches of the Employment Ordinance at the earliest instance.

Promotion of Wider Use of Written Employment Contract

1.12 A wide range of promotional activities was launched to promote the benefits of written employment contracts, including the production of a sample contract in e-format for use by employers.

Strengthening Local and International Partnerships

Labour Day Reception

1.13 On 1 May 2002, the Secretary for Education and Manpower hosted a cocktail reception at Government House to celebrate the Labour Day and to show our recognition of the contributions of the workforce. The reception was officiated by the Chief Executive and attended by some 200 guests from trade unions, employer associations and other organisations.

Contacts with Other Labour Administrations

1.14 We keep active liaison and interflow with other labour administrations through visits and participation in International Labour Organization activities. In June 2002, a tripartite team comprising government officials, as well as employer and employee representatives of the Labour Advisory Board attended the International Labour Conference in Geneva to keep themselves abreast of newly adopted international labour standards. The occasion also strengthened team members' rapport with their counterparts in other countries, thereby facilitating future co-operation.