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The Commissioner for Labour, Mr Cheuk Wing Hing, today (November 25) called on stakeholders in the catering sector to remain vigilant and prevent work accidents by enhancing the industry's occupational safety and health standards.
Speaking at the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme (2012/2013) Award Presentation Ceremony cum Fun Day today, Mr Cheuk said Hong Kong's reputation as the culinary capital of Asia attracts many tourists to Hong Kong and this demonstrates the hard work and dedication of more than 200,000 employees in the catering sector. However, while the catering industry offers plenty of job opportunities, it also has the highest number of work accidents among all trades. Although most of the accidents in the catering industry are minor, work injuries can bring emotional suffering to employees, lower the quality of service and affect the reputation and productivity of catering establishments.
"I'm glad to see that with concerted efforts from related organisations, employers, employees and the Government, there has been significant improvement in occupational safety and health performance in the catering industry. Over the past decade, the accident toll in the industry plunged 30 per cent from some 10 000 in 2002 to about 7 000 in 2011. With the close co-operation of relevant parties in implementing preventive measures, I believe that the occupational safety and health standards of the industry will continue to improve," Mr Cheuk added.
Also attending the award presentation ceremony and fun day were Legislative Councillor, Mr Tommy Cheung; Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr Conrad Wong; and Executive Director of the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, Ms Erica Ng Wai-ying.
Launched in 1999, the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme is co-organised by the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board and related organisations in the trade. Entering its 14th year, the award scheme this year has drawn participation from a total of 177 catering establishments and 151 management staff.
The scheme is organised to enhance the occupational safety and health awareness of employers, employees and other parties in the industry. It also aims to inculcate a robust occupational safety and health culture in the industry and among the public, as well as to award catering establishments, supervisors and workers for good performance in work safety and health.
Ends/Sunday, November 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:26
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