The Standard Working Hours Committee has agreed in principle to recommend a legislative approach to implement a policy to regulate employee working hours, including a mandatory requirement for employers and employees in general to enter into written employment contracts specifying working hours arrangements.
Speaking after a committee meeting today, the committee chairperson Dr Leong Che-hung said: "The committee will explore whether there is a need for other suitable measures to protect grassroots employees with less bargaining power. The committee holds the view that a working hours policy should provide the necessary flexibility and hence an 'across-the-board' legislative approach is inappropriate."
The committee also agreed to conduct further data analyses and impact assessment, and to consolidate various working hours employment terms for further consideration.
"The committee will carefully consider various factors including employees' overtime work situation, as well as the possible impacts on employers, employees, individual trades/enterprises and the Hong Kong economy with a view to formulating working hours policy options suitable for Hong Kong."
