Understanding the Hong Kong Labour Department
The Labour Department in Hong Kong is a vital government agency responsible for overseeing and regulating various aspects of the labour market, ensuring employees’ and employers’ welfare and rights are protected.
Department’s Mission and Responsibilities
The Labour Department in Hong Kong operates with a multifaceted mission that encompasses several vital responsibilities:
Utilisation of Human Resources
The department strives to optimise the use of human resources by offering various employment services. These services are designed to meet the labour market’s and its participants’ evolving needs.
Safety and Health
A fundamental objective is to safeguard the safety and health of the local workforce. This is achieved through promotion, enforcement, and educational initiatives, ensuring the populace’s well-being.
Employee Benefits and Rights
The department is committed to preserving and enhancing the benefits and rights of every employee fairly and equitably.
Harmonious Labour Relations
Fostering and nurturing harmonious labour relations is another crucial goal. This is accomplished through the promotion of good employment practices and the effective resolution of labour disputes.
In alignment with the government’s “Serving the Community” initiative, the Labour Department actively supports and participates in serving the people of Hong Kong to the best of its abilities.
Leadership Structure
Within the Hong Kong Labour Department, a hierarchical leadership structure oversees its various functions. The Commissioner for Labour Relations holds the highest position and is responsible for the department as a whole.
Directly beneath the Commissioner, two high-ranking officials play crucial roles:
Deputy Commissioner (Labour Administration)
Labour Commissioner (Occupational Health and Safety)
The Deputy Commissioner (Labour Administration) supervises several sections and individuals, including Assistant Commissioners for Labour Relations, Employment Services, Employee’s Rights and Benefits, Policy Support, and Development.
Similarly, the Labour Commissioner (Occupational Health and Safety) oversees the Assistant Commissioner for Occupational Safety, Occupational Health Consultants, and the Chief Occupational Safety Officer.
The Assistant Commissioner for Labour Relations oversees sections related to Labour Relations and Working Hours Policy. At the same time, the Assistant Commissioner for Policy Support manages the Chief Labour Officer handling Offset Policy. The Assistant Commissioner for Development oversees the Chief Labour Officer responsible for Statutory Minimum Wage and the Registrar of Trade Unions.
Their official website serves as a valuable resource for those seeking more detailed information about the Hong Kong Labour Department.
