PROTECTION OF PIECE-RATED WORKERS UNDER EMPLOYMENT LAWS

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider introducing amending legislation to enable all categories of piece-rated workers to have equal rights of protection under the employment laws.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, under the existing employment laws, namely, the Labour Ordinance, the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance and the Clerks Employment Ordinance, all categories of piece-rated workers who are working under a contract of service enjoy exactly the same protection as others employed on a salary basis. Only persons employed as independent contractors, that is to say, workers over whose work the person employing them has no control, are not covered by the law.