Commissioner for Labour visits labour organisations and employer associations (with photos)

     The Commissioner for Labour, Mr Chris Sun, has paid visits to a number of labour organisations and employer associations since assuming his post in late December last year, including visiting the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong today (January 29). These visits were made by the Commissioner with a view to enhancing understanding about the concerns of employees and employers on various labour matters, and strengthening communication and engagement with both the labour and business sides.

     Mr Sun has called on the major labour organisations, namely the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions, the Hong Kong & Kowloon Trades Union Council and the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions. These labour organisations exchanged views with the Commissioner on various labour issues such as employment difficulties of workers as caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, support for the unemployed, better protection for the entitlements of the workforce, occupational safety and health (OSH) protection for employees, etc.

     At the same time, Mr Sun has visited the major employer associations, namely the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong. He held exchanges with the business sector on such labour subjects as employment conditions and labour relations amid the pandemic, the progressive increase in the number of statutory holidays, abolition of the "offsetting" arrangement under the Mandatory Provident Fund system, and review of the penalties of OSH legislation.

     The employer associations also expressed full support for the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme which was launched by the Government on January 8. They provided their views to the Commissioner and encouraged their members to take part in the scheme.

     Mr Sun said, "The pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to both employers and employees, together with an extensive impact on the labour market. We hope that the labour-management sides would sustain their mutual understanding and partnership so as to ride out the storm together.

     "The Labour Department will continue to foster communication between employers and employees with a view to progressively improving the rights and benefits of employees, taking into account the interests of both sides. We will also endeavour to enhance the OSH standard in various industries," he added.