F
13
}
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1974
1
HE SAID, +SUCH A QUALIFYING PERIOD MAY ALSO HAVE SOME BENEFICIAL EFFECT IN ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO REMAIN IN THEIR JOBS, SO REDUCING HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER – BUT, HÍOPEFULLY, WITHOUT, ENDANGER ING THE ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS MOBILITY OF LABOUR WHICH HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN A STRONG FEATURE OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMY.+
HE SAID IT HAD BEEN DECIDED THAT, IN CALCULATING SEVERANCE PAY. ONLY THE FIVE YEARS' SERVICE PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION i OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE COUNTED SO AS NOT TO PLACE TOO HEAVY AN
INITIAL LIABILITY ON EMPLOYERS.
$
MR. WILLIAMS SAID THAT THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL WOULD HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO INQUIRE INTO, HEAR AND DETERMINE CLAIMS FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT.
IN CASE OF BANKRUPTCY, WINDING-UP AND LIQUIDATION, SEVERANCE PAYMENTS WOULD HAVE THE SAME PRIORITY AS WAGES, SALARY AND CROWN DEBTS WHEN IT CAME TO CLAIMS ON THE FIRM'S ASSETS.
THE DEBATE WAS ADJOURNED.