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EMPLOYMENT
A total of 158 pneumoconiosis cases were awarded compensation from the Pneu- moconiosis Compensation Fund. The Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board, which was established to administer the fund, also financed research, educational and publicity programmes to enhance awareness of pneumoconiosis and to promote prevention of the disease.
In July, the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance was amended so that com- pensation is provided in the form of monthly payments until death instead of a lump sum Pneumoconiosis sufferers who were diagnosed before January 1, 1981, and who are not covered by the ordinance, receive ex gratia payments on a quarterly basis from the government.
The Employees' Compensation Ordinance was also amended in July to improve the maximum levels of compensation. The increase will come into effect on January 1, 1994. Other amendments include improving the provisions on compulsory insurance; and expanding the schedule for assessing the degree of loss of earning capacity suffered by an injured employee, and the schedule for occupational diseases.
Telephone Enquiry Service
The General Enquiry Telephone Service of the Labour Department handles enquiries on the Employment Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations, the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and matters relating to "the employment of foreign domestic helpers.
-- In April, a computer-operated answering facility was installed to supplement the public enquiry service. The new system provides a round-the-clock service to the public while the staff operators deal with more complicated enquiries during office hours.
During the year, a total of 833 109 calls were handled by the General Enquiry Telephone Service.