EMPLOYMENT
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LEGISLATION
The Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Ordinance, 1964, became law on 4th June and was brought into effect by proclama- tion on 2nd October. It widens the scope of the existing 1953 Ordinance by providing compensation for incapacity or death arising out of occupational diseases connected with various trades and processes. Under the new legislation a worker, or his dependants in the case of death, is entitled to compensation to the same extent as if he had sustained an industrial or occupational accident, if he is incapacitated by a scheduled occupational disease and if the disease is due to the nature of any occupation in which he was employed at any time within the twelve months immediately prior to his incapacity or death.
New legislation introduced into the Legislative Council towards the end of the year included the Contracts for Overseas Employment Bill and amendments to the Employers and Servants Ordinance of 1961, and the Employment of Young Persons and Children at Sea Ordinance, 1933, all of which are designed to give legislative effect to Hong Kong's obligations under international labour conventions. The drafting of regulations relating to safety and health in building operations is also in hand. Recommendations on the apprenticeship system by a Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Technical Education and Vocational Training are under consideration by Government.
HEALTH
SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE
The protection of workers against any health hazards arising in their workplaces and the detection and prevention of occupational diseases are the particular duty of the Industrial Health Section of the Labour Department which also has an important secondary role in solving the attendant medical and social problems of per- sons injured in occupational accidents. Health control of working environment is maintained by routine inspection of selected in- dustrial undertakings, supported by field surveys and atmospheric monitoring where necessary. Atmospheric dust, fumes and gases are monitored to record temperature, humidity and air velocities, and to measure levels of radioactivity.