Today is May 1st, Labour Day. The abolition of MPF “hedging” has always been an issue that the labour sector has been fighting for for many years. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor wrote an article today (1st), pointing out that the authorities have “handed over a splendid report card” on labor rights, and stressed that even though there are only two months left before the end of the current government’s term of office, the government will strive for a resolution in the Legislative Council in June The bill to abolish the “hedging” of MPF funds was passed 30 days ago, so that the preparations for the next stage can be started immediately. Law Chi-kwong, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, also stated on his blog that the current government is striving to complete the bill before the end of the term, including better protection of the employment rights of employees who are absent from work due to compliance with epidemic prevention regulations, so that eligible employees can enjoy sickness allowance and Employment security.
Lam Cheng said that in order to better protect the rights and interests of workers, the government must take the initiative to formulate feasible policy measures and necessary legislation. She also pointed out that the Policy Innovation and Coordination Office will process applications under the Temporary Unemployment Support Scheme and the Employment Support Scheme as soon as possible before the term of the current government expires. The maximum amount of various ex-gratia payment items under the Paycheck Protection Fund and the adjustment of the business registration certificate levy rate; and the introduction of a bill to strengthen the occupational safety and health penalty to the Legislative Council to enhance the deterrent against illegal acts.
Law Zhiguang believes that the current government has been “the busiest and most fruitful one” in terms of strengthening labor protection and amending the law, including issues that the labor industry has been fighting for for more than 10 years, such as increasing statutory paternity leave and statutory Maternity leave, aligning statutory holidays with public holidays, etc. Next week’s Buddha’s birthday will be the first new statutory holiday. He also reviewed other labor policies, such as the establishment of an inter-departmental team by the Labour and Welfare Bureau to review the arrangements for government outsourcing services; the establishment of a special division by the Labour Department in 2020 to strengthen the protection of foreign domestic helpers and provide support to their employers.
