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EMPLOYMENT
The Occupational Deafness Compensation Scheme compensates employees suffering from occupational noise-induced deafness. It is administered by the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board which was established in June 1995. During 1996, compensation payments totalling $36,840,000 were awarded to 268 occupational deafness cases.
The Employees Compensation Assistance Scheme makes payments due to an injured employee or dependants of a deceased employee where an employer defaults or an insurer becomes insolvent. It also covers claims from employers who fail to obtain indemnity from their insolvent insurers.
Telephone Enquiry Service
The Labour Department's General Enquiry Telephone Service handles enquiries on labour legislation and matters relating to the employment of local and imported workers, and provides information on various services offered by the department. Callers are guided by the computer-operated answering facility to select pre-recorded messages from a wide range of topics. They can also obtain information leaflets through the system if they have a fax machine.
The system, with Cantonese, Putonghua and English language options, operates around the clock. Staff operators deal with more complicated enquiries during office hours. The service handled 1 709 735 calls in 1996.