134
EMPLOYMENT
The Employees' Compensation Assessment Boards, which sit in 14 major hospitals throughout the HKSAR, assess the loss of earning capacity of employees injured at work.
The division also assists persons suffering from pneumoconiosis to obtain compensation under the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation)
(Compensation) Ordinance. The Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board, established under the Ordinance, administers the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund from which compensation for pneumoconiosis is paid. The board also finances research, educational and publicity activities and rehabilitation programmes for pneumoconiosis sufferers. Pneumoconiosis sufferers diagnosed before 1981 are not covered by the ordinance. They receive ex gratia benefits from the government under the Pneumoconiosis Ex Gratia Scheme.
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 the year, some eligibility criteria under the scheme were relaxed and application procedures streamlined. The board was also entrusted with the additional responsibility of conducting or financing educational and publicity programmes for the purpose of preventing noise-induced deafness by reason of employment.
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 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 by fax.
The system, with Cantonese, Putonghua and English language options, operates round-the-clock. Staff operators deal with more complicated enquiries during office hours. The service handled 2 159 509 calls in 1998.