Labour welfare in Hong Kong: Its context and content

Abstract

This article analyzes labor welfare in the specific political, economic, social, and cultural context of Hong Kong, a metropolitan city in transition. The first author is the founder of the first nongovernmental organization (NGO)-based employee assistance program in Hong Kong, and the second is an active organizer of campaigns for advocating labor rights. Based on their experiences, the labor welfare programs offered by several of the largest trade unions and business firms in the city are examined, and their defining characteristics identified. The article concludes with recommendations for future development in service delivery and policy formulation.