The Labour Advisory Board’s employer members and employee members reached a consensus today to relax the “continuous contract” requirement.
 

Under the existing requirement, regardless of whether they are working full-time or part-time, employees employed by the same employer for four weeks or more, and having worked for 18 hours or more per week, are regarded as being engaged under a “continuous contract”.
 

Subject to them meeting relevant eligibility criteria under the Employment Ordinance, such employees are entitled to a range of employment benefits, including statutory holiday pay, paid annual leave and sickness allowance.
 

The relaxed requirement will involve using the aggregate hours worked over four weeks as a counting unit and setting the four-week threshold at 68 hours worked.
 

The Government said the amendment will contribute to enhanced protection of the rights and benefits of employees with shorter working hours.
 

It added that it appreciates all the board members’ efforts in reaching the agreement at today’s meeting.
 

The Government will report the outcome to the Legislative Council’s Panel on Manpower and begin the relevant legislative amendment work. An amendment bill will be introduced for scrutiny in the council upon completion of drafting.
 

The review is one of the labour support initiatives announced in the 2023 Policy Address.