2.
to improve legislation governing employment and
working conditions. In particular, amendments to
the Employment Ordinance will be introduced to
provide for one week's holiday with pay and for
one rest day a week, and for improvements in severance
pay and sickness benefits. Final details are being
drawn up to implement the compensation scheme for
workers suffering from silicosis and asbestosis.
The detailed review of the Workmen's Compensation
Ordinance will also contiue and it has become evident
that certain improvements should be effected in the
course of this session. Further safety legislation
and legislation to provide greater protection of wages
in case of failure to pay are also under consideration.
5.
I shall leave the Commissioner for
Labour to expand upon the details of the legislative
programme.
6.
In other social fields we have set
ourselves targets defined in quantity and time. It
is important that in this field too we should have
a clear idea of what our objectives are. Your
Government has concluded that we should set
Standard
ourselves
the target of achieving a level of legislation
governing) safety, health, and conditions of employment
broadly equivalent to the best in force in our
neighbouring countries whose stage of economic
development is similar to our own.