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Articles by Gladys Ching
Easter Monday Is Now A Statutory Holiday In Hong Kong
Lewis Silkin are most popular: in European Union Starting from this year, Easter Monday which is on 6 April, will be designated as a statutory holiday. This means that Hong Kong now has a total of 15 statutory holidays as of 2026. This change is part of the Hong Kong government’s effort to gradually align the number of statutory holidays with the number of general holidays.
Easter Monday is now a statutory holiday in Hong Kong
This change is part of the Hong Kong government’s effort to gradually align the number of statutory holidays with the number of general holidays. In Hong Kong, statutory holidays are the minimum number of Hong Kong public holidays which an employer needs to grant employees; while general holidays are all Hong Kong public holidays (which are all the “red days” on the calendar). Currently, employers are only required to grant statutory holidays.
Increase In Hong Kong's Daily Medical Reimbursement Rates To Enhance Employees' Rights And Benefits
Gladys Ching’s articles from Lewis Silkin are most popular: with readers working within the Healthcare and Media & Information industries Lewis Silkin are most popular: within Cannabis & Hemp, Tax and Strategy topic(s) in Asia With effect from 1 January 2026, the maximum daily rate for reimbursement of medical expenses to employees under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO) and the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance (PMCO) will increase.
Increase in Hong Kong’s daily medical reimbursement rates to enhance employees’ rights and benefits
Under the ECO and PMCO, employees who have suffered an injury at work or who suffer from prescribed occupational diseases may claim reimbursement from the employer for their medical expenses up to a maximum daily rate. Currently, the maximum daily rates are: Out-patient treatment: HK$300; In-patient and out-patient treatment received on the same day: HK$370; and In-patient treatment: HK$300 The current maximum daily rates have been in place since February 2018.
Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 Bolsters Mechanisms To Safeguard National Security
The Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the "Bill") was passed by the Legislative Council on 25 June 2025 and will come into operation on 5 January 2026. The Bill amends the Trade Unions Ordinance (Chapter 332) with the aim to better safeguard national security and enhance the regulatory regime for trade unions in Hong Kong. In particular, the Bill strengthens the Registrar of Trade Unions' statutory powers.
Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 Bolsters Mechanisms to Safeguard National Security
The Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the “Bill”) was passed by the Legislative Council on 25 June 2025 and will come into operation on 5 January 2026. The Bill amends the Trade Unions Ordinance (Chapter 332) with the aim to better safeguard national security and enhance the regulatory regime for trade unions in Hong Kong. In particular, the Bill strengthens the Registrar of Trade Unions’ statutory powers.
Could ‘Tinder leave’ be the key to happier employees?
Benefit could boost wellness and loyalty, but must not be discriminatory in any way Tinder Leave is essentially a wellness benefit. It is time off provided to an employee for the purpose of going on dates and pursuing romantic relationships, particularly via dating apps. It aims to encourage employees to take time off to build meaningful social connections outside of work.
Increased severance payment cap under Hong Kong’s insolvency fund
The Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance was recently amended to increase the maximum amount of ex-gratia payment which could be paid to an employee under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (the “Insolvency Fund”) in respect of statutory severance payment owed by their employer in the event the employer has become insolvent. This marks a significant step forward in bolstering the protection afforded to employees in Hong Kong in the event of their employers becoming insolvent.
Hong Kong: Did you know – failure to pay wages on time may lead to a PR crisis?
Failure to pay wages on time is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of HK$350,000 and imprisonment for 3 years. In addition, the employer will also have to pay interest on the outstanding wages and failure to do so will also attract criminal penalties. Where the employer is a body corporate, officers of the employer (such as directors and senior management) who were involved in the breach could also be held personally liable for the offence.
Easier Access to Employment Benefits in Hong Kong
Currently, under the EO, “continuous contract” is defined as employment by the same employer for 4 or more consecutive weeks, with at least 18 hours worked each week. This is what is commonly referred to as the “418 requirement”.
Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission issues guidance on how to support employees with dementia at work – a summary for employers
Like many economies, Hong Kong faces an aging population. It is estimated that the proportion of elderly persons aged 65 and over will increase from 20.5% in 2021 to 36% in 2046. An aging population in turn means an aging workforce. As the number of older employees increase, employers need to be more aware of the challenges faced by older employees and be prepared to adapt workplace practices to ensure that their needs are taken care of.
Unveiling the struggles of Hong Kong's invisible workforce
Foreign domestic workers face discrimination, protection challenges during illness According to government statistics as of 2022, there are more than 338,000 foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Hong Kong, which accounts for almost five per cent of Hong Kong’s population. Nearly 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong depend on FDWs for housekeeping and to look after their family members. As such, FDWs are more than just employees; they are the backbone of many households.
Increase in applications received for Hong Kong’s new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme - what it means for employers
The Government launched the new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (new “CIES”) earlier this year, in line with its ongoing efforts to revitalise Hong Kong’s economy. By the end of June, the new CIES had already received over 3,700 enquiries and 339 applications, with 88 of those applications receiving approval-in-principle and 3 applications receiving formal approval. This article provides a summary of the new CIES and highlight what it means for employers. What is “CIES”?
Hong Kong Government plans to expand the scope of the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme
The Hong Kong Government has announced its plans to expand the existing Sexual Conviction Record Check (“SCRC”) scheme to enhance the protection of children and mentally incapacitated persons (“MIPs”) from sexual abuse. What is the SCRC scheme?
Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission issues new guidance to better protect guide dog users from discrimination - a summary for employers
The Equal Opportunities Commission (“EOC”) recently issued Guide Dogs: A Practical Guide (“Guide”) with a view to better protect the rights of guide dog users in public settings. The Guide was issued following a study carried out by the EOC in October 2023 and in response to a series of complaints received by the EOC over the past five years from persons with visual impairment who have said that they had been subject to discrimination due to being accompanied by a guide dog.
Hong Kong Rolls Out New Statutory Minimum Wage Review Mechanism
The Hong Kong government has rolled out changes to the review mechanism for determining statutory minimum wage (“SMW”) for the first time since SMW was introduced in Hong Kong 13 years ago. The changes came about after a study was conducted in January 2023 which examined ways in which the SMW review mechanism could be enhanced to provide better protection to grassroots employees.
Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Budget - Key Highlights for Employers and Employees
In the most recent 2024-25 Hong Kong Budget, the Financial Secretary unveiled a series of strategic policies and initiatives centred around revitalising the Hong Kong economy, including those aimed at bringing in capital, enterprises and talent. In this article, we highlight some of the key initiatives which may be of interest to employers and employees: Salaries TaxSalaries tax reductionThe Budget proposed a 100% reduction in salaries tax payable for 2023-24, subject to a ceiling of HKD3,000.
Unveiling The Struggles Of Hong Kong's Invisible Workforce
According to government statistics as of 2022, there are more than 338,000 foreign domestic workers ("FDWs") in Hong Kong, which accounts for almost 5% of Hong Kong's population. Nearly 10% of households in Hong Kong depend on FDWs for housekeeping and to look after their family members. As such, FDWs are more than just employees; they are the backbone of many households. However, despite the significant role they play in our society, FDWs face a myriad of challenges.
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