Labour Commissioner Labour Donald Tong today called on stakeholders in the catering sector to stay vigilant and prevent work accidents by enhancing the industry’s occupational safety and health standards.
Speaking at the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme (2015/2016) presentation ceremony and fun day today, Mr Tong said the catering sector has recorded the highest number of work accidents among all trades.
Last year, the Labour Department processed more than 6,000 employees' compensation cases in the catering industry, in which there was a loss of more than 230,000 working days, with a loss of about 36 working days for each injured employee.
Mr Tong remarked that the Government attaches great importance to the industry’s occupational safety and health. With the concerted efforts of the Government, employers, employees and related trade organisations, the number of industrial accidents in the industry saw a 55% drop from more than 12,000 in 1999 to about 5,500 last year.
Despite the improvement and the relatively minor average injury cases, the issue should not be taken lightly, Mr Tong said.
Mr Tong called on the industry to participate in the Occupational Safety & Health Council’s related programme to improve workplace safety and enhance tidiness and cleanliness.
