Labour chief visits job centre

May 27, 2011

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung visited the Labour Department’s Job Vacancy Processing Centre and Telephone Employment Service Centre today to learn about the latest job situation and wage levels after the implementation of the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
 
“Our labour inspectors have been actively conducting inspections at establishments since the law came into effect. Focusing on low-paying sectors, including catering, retail, security and cleaning services, about 2,600 inspections have been done so far,” he said.
 
“Apart from carrying out spot checks on workers’ employment conditions, the inspectors also emphasise the education of employers and employees to ensure they understand their respective obligations and rights under the statutory minimum wage requirements. The Labour Department will continue to strengthen their work in this aspect.”
 
The number of new private-sector vacancies received by the Labour Department per working day has stayed at a high level of about 3,000 on average. Up until yesterday, more than 55,000 vacancies had been received in May, showing a buoyant labour market, he said. The Telephone Employment Service Centre handled 18,000 calls in the first four months of the year.