Labour Advisory Board Report 2011-2012 - Chapter 7

Committee on Labour Relations

7.1 Introduction

The Committee on Labour Relations (CLR) has been in place since May 1985 to advise on the promotion of harmonious labour relations and legislation on employment conditions and labour relations matters.

7.2 Terms of Reference

The committee is established to:

advise on means to promote amicable relations and mutual understanding between employers and employees, and between their respective organisations;
advise on enlightened human resources management measures and family-friendly employment practices for the purpose of fostering harmonious labour-management relations;
advise on legislative proposals on employment conditions and labour relations and review existing legislation; and
advise on measures to be adopted by the Labour Department (LD) with a view to improving its conciliation service.

7.3 Composition

Members of CLR are appointed by the Commissioner for Labour. The composition of the committee for the term 2011-2012 is as follows:

Chairman:

Deputy Commissioner for Labour (Labour Administration)

Members:

Three employer representatives from the Labour Advisory Board
Three employee representatives from the Labour Advisory Board
Three employer representatives from outside the Labour Advisory Board
Three employee representatives from outside the Labour Advisory Board
A representative of Human Resources Practitioners
Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Labour Relations)

Secretary:

A Labour Officer of LD

The membership list of CLR for the term 2011-2012 is at Appendix IV.

7.4 Activities during the 2011-2012 Term

During the 2011-2012 term, CLR discussed an array of issues relating to labour relations. Among others, it held frank and constructive discussions on whether statutory paternity leave should be implemented in Hong Kong and provided advice to LD. Moreover, it noted the latest labour relations scene since the implementation of Statutory Minimum Wage in May 2011 and the expansion in scope of the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund to cover pay for untaken annual leave and untaken statutory holidays under the Employment Ordinance (EO). It was also informed of the legislative proposal to be put forward by the Administration on amending the reinstatement and re-engagement provisions under the EO to improve the protection of employees.