3.
Supplementary to Question No. 6. Lego meeting on 10 2.88.
Mr. TAM (in Cantonese):
Sir, the contracting system is
rather a complex issue; very often when there are labour
disputes, nobody foots the bill for the employee';
under such circumstances, will Government consider
strengthening the Bill to widen the scope of protection to
other industries, other than the construction industries ?
Secretary for Education and Manpower: Sir, I think we have
so far seen the need for particular protection in terms of the
vicarious liability of wages in the construction industry.
As I said in the main reply, there seems to be no need at
present for extending these provisions to other industries
and occupations but, as I said, the Employment Ordinance
already affords full protection to workers in all occupations.
Mr. TAM (in Cantonese): Sir, will Government strengthen
the publicity towards contractors and subcontractors of various
trades so that employees therein know better what protection
they are entitled to ?
Secretary for Education and Manpower: Sir, I think that is a
its
resources
task which the Labour Department has been devoting re
to.
It has done
a good
job and I am sure that all
the publicity programmes will continue in the future.