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In response to the Labour Day processions today (May 1), a Government spokesman stressed that the Government attached great importance to protecting labour rights.
He said that the Government is committed to improving employees' benefits at a pace commensurate with Hong Kong's socio-economic development and striking a reasonable balance between employees' interests and employers' affordability.
"Hong Kong's latest unemployment rate stands at a 16-year low of 3.1 per cent. The Statutory Minimum Wage has been implemented smoothly for three years with the earnings of low-income workers improving and number of employed persons rising steadily. The Minimum Wage Commission is conducting a review on the Statutory Minimum Wage rate of $30 per hour and will put forward a recommendation to the Chief Executive in Council before end-October. Over 72 000 people have benefited so far from the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme since its introduction.
"A bill seeking to provide three-day paid paternity leave has been introduced into the Legislative Council in March. The Standard Working Hours Committee is following up on the Government's policy study on the subject in full steam, and actively promoting an informed and in-depth public discussion on working hours with a view to building consensus and identifying the way forward," the spokesman said.
On labour importation, the spokesman stressed that the Government would firmly uphold the cardinal principle of according priority for employment to local workers. In view of the labour shortage faced by specific industries, the Government will encourage candid and open discussions among employers, employees and the community with a view to working out practical solutions.
As for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), the spokesman said the Hong Kong SAR Government had all along attached great importance to protecting their rights and well-being.
"Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world which provides FDHs with equal and full statutory protection on par with local workers. FDHs here are further protected by a Government-prescribed Standard Employment Contract. In view of recent concern, the Labour Department (LD) is taking various enhancement measures in the short and long term. These include enhancing publicity and education to increase FDHs' awareness of safeguarding themselves and stepping up the regulation and monitoring of employment agencies," the spokesman added.
On the arrangement of offsetting severance payments and long service payments against Mandatory Provident Fund accrued benefits arising from an employer's contribution, the spokesman said it was is an issue with wide read-across implications and of major concern to the community. "The issue affects the interests of various stakeholders, the retirement protection of employees and the operating costs of employers (especially small and medium enterprises). The Government will continue to listen to the views of different sectors, and will consider and examine the issue in a holistic and careful manner," he added.
The spokesman pointed out that the Government was also highly concerned about the occupational safety and health of the construction industry.
"LD has deployed additional manpower to step up inspections and enforcement actions, focusing on high-risk work processes like work-at-height, lifting operations and electrical works, and to strengthen the monitoring of the safety management systems of major works projects. Besides, LD has launched a number of thematic promotional activities and sponsorship schemes on work safety," he said.
Ends/Thursday, May 1, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:12
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