subject: Things You Need To Know About Employment And Labour Law In Hong Kong [print this page] Employment and labour law in Hong Kong is enforced by (and contained within) the Employment Ordinance of 1968: a document that substantively improved conditions of work for persons residing in the country. The labour laws outlined by the Employment Ordinance read very similarly to those enforced in the United Kingdom: set working hours, rest days, sick pay, paid holidays, maternity leave and protection of contracted employees. As such, any person or companies wishing to employ people in Hong Kong are bound to comply with the labour laws set out therein. Most of the employment and labour law embodied by the Ordinance is pretty common sense stuff child labour (i.e. industrial type work undertaken by persons younger than the age of 15) is forbidden, though children may hold temporary jobs of a non industrial nature; the employment of young persons (15-18 years of age) is regulated strictly according to working hours, rest periods and time between shifts; and all labour is protected according to contract law. All persons and companies who need to comply with employment and labour law should obtain and study a copy of the Employment Ordinance or, more practically, seek the qualified advice of a law firm native to Hong Kong. It would, of course, be foolish to embark on any employment enterprise without familiarising oneself with the labour laws in place in the country in which one wishes to work. In a place as unfamiliar as Hong Kong it would be surpassingly so. Engaging a reputable law firm to assist with the minutiae of employment and labour law in Hong Kong is strongly recommended.Theres another side of employment and labour law in Hong Kong that may apply to overseas persons, without their wishing to actively set up premises in Hong Kong, and employ workers in the country. Business immigration refers to the practice of granting atypical immigration status to non Hong Kong nationals visiting the country for legitimate purposes. In plain English, that means pre-cleared visas and fast track queuing when you get off the plane.
Hong Kong participates in business immigration schemes like the APEC Business Travel Card initiative, which allows business travellers the benefits of streamlined visa clearances at the airport check points of participating countries. Although business immigration travellers still need to conform to all normal clearance processes (i.e. showing valid passports for their country of nationality), they are allowed into special rapid service lanes designed to make business trips easier and quicker. In Hong Kong, business immigrants holding all the required documentation can check in to the country through the resident lanes at international airports.The foregoing is a very basic grounding in employment and labour law in Hong Kong. As with any key legislation, it is vital to check what, if anything, has changed or is still current before embarking on any project tied in with employing Hong Kong nationals. The best way to do that is to retain the services of a reputable Hong Kong law firm OLN, for example who can ensure that everything you do is done in compliance with the rules.
