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56
135.
It is accordingly recommended that consideration be given to the introduction, preferably concurrently with the forker's Comp- ensation Ordinance, of a bill on the basis of the draft in Appendix 10.
136.
This draft bill provides, inter alia:-
(1) For the setting up by the Governor of an Employer's
Liability Committee and the building up of an Employers Liability Fund by a cess on all employers based on the number of workers each employs.
(2) That "worker" have exactly the same meaning as defined
in the workmen's Compensation Ordinance.
(3) For the fund to be used :
(a) for the cost of collection and adminstration
(b) for the payment of all valid claims to workmen's
Compensation
1
(c) for the setting up, in due course, of a rehabilitation centre for disabled workers in order to expedite their recovery.
(4) for the Commissioner of Labour to be Chairman of the Committee
and for adequate Governmental controls
(5) for the Committee to be nominated by the Governor
:
(6) that the Committee can, with the consent of the Colonial
Secretary borrow and invest money
(7) that the Ordinance can come into operation on a date to be
notified in the Gazette
(8) that the Committees be required to determine the quarterly assessment rate to be paid by employers with a view to ensuring that the fund remains solvent and that an adequate reserve is built up.
(9) that each employer be advised of the amount he is required to pay each quarter and for numbered receipts to be issued for all monies received.
The advantages of this proposal are:
(i) It would ensure that every worker, however impecunious his employer may be, would get all the benefits to which he was entitled under the workmen's Compensation Ordinance and would thus avoid the neccessity for imposing composing compulsory "Employers' Liability" insurance on all employers to the financial advantages of Insurance Companies and their shareholders.
(ii) The Scheme would not cost the Government any more than their normal contribution as an employer of labour as all staff charges and expenses would be met from the Fund.