Employment (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
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The Bill seeks to revise the working hours threshold of the "continuous contract" requirement under the Employment Ordinance (Chapter 57) (EO), making it easier for employees to meet the revised "continuous contract" requirement and thus be able to enjoy comprehensive employment benefits.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said, "The weekly working hours threshold of the 'continuous contract' requirement will be lowered from 18 hours to 17 hours. Moreover, a week with less than 17 working hours will still be regarded as a period under the 'continuous contract' of employment once the sum of the working hours of that week and those of the three weeks immediately preceding it reaches 68 hours. The Labour Advisory Board has reached a consensus on the proposed amendments."
The spokesman added, "The existing eligibility criteria for employees to enjoy various statutory benefits under the EO will remain unchanged. Subject to a smooth passage of the Bill, the amendment ordinance will come into operation on the first Sunday after six months upon its gazettal. During this period, the Labour Department will widely publicise the salient features of the amendments to employers and employees through various channels, facilitating both parties in getting prepared."
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on April 16. The Government will fully complement the work of the LegCo in scrutinising the Bill, with a view to seeking the LegCo's support and passage of the Bill.
Ends/Friday, April 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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