Chapter 7 International Labour Affairs

International Instruments Setting out Labour Standards

7.1International Labour Conventions set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) prescribe relevant labour standards. As at end-2023, 31 International Labour Conventions were applied to Hong Kong with or without modification (Appendix 7.1). Other international instruments, which also touch on labour standards, include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

7.2Comprehensive legislative and administrative measures are in place in Hong Kong to enable the Government to implement internationally accepted labour standards. Through continuous improvements to labour legislation and administrative measures, Hong Kong maintains labour standards that are comparable with those of neighbouring places with similar economic development as well as social and cultural background.

Participation in the Activities of the ILO

7.3Hong Kong participates in the activities of the ILO, either as part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China or, for activities which are not limited to states, on its own using the name "Hong Kong, China".

7.4In 2023, the Labour Department (LD) continued to participate in activities organised by the ILO to keep abreast of the latest development of international labour matters. In the year, representatives from Hong Kong attended the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China.

Contacts with Other Labour Administrations

7.5In the year, the LD received delegations of labour administration visiting Hong Kong and sent representatives to participate in labour-related activities in other places, so as to strengthen its co-operation with other countries and regions, and to exchange on labour issues with other labour administrations (Appendix 7.2).