22
57
137.
(iii) It would ensure that steps were taken to rehabi- litate workers who suffered as a result of accidents arising out of and in the course of their employment. This would be to the advantage of the workers, the employers and the Government. It would also obviate the possibility of pressure on the Government to under- take such rehabilitation work which would certainly arise in the absence of arrangements on the lines sug- gested.
(iv) The profits which would, in the event of comp- ulsory insurance, accrue to the shareholders of Insur- ance Companies would be returned to employers by way of a reduction of assessment.
A committee of representative European employers said that they would welcome a scheme on these lines for the purposes indicated and they would willingly participato voluntarily in its operation. A few Chinese employers have said that they would support a scheme of this character and no doubt the majority would do so.
138.
at the present time there is very little business in "Employers' Liability" by Insurance Companies in Hong Kong and there could not therefore be any very strong objection to an employers co- operative scheme for meeting accident risks.
139.
When other risks are added to the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance the "Fund" could assume these without any difficulty.
14.0.
There are many small employers in the Colony who would be forced into liquidation if faced with a substantial claim under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance and this would mean that the workers concerned did not get their full benefits under the Ordinance. There is little doubt that such default would be used by certain organisations as anti government propaganda and they would accuse the Government in the usual Chinese way "of hanging out sheeps heads and selling dog
meat.
#f
141.
The proposal made would secure that an injured worker was always assured of full benefits under the Ordinance and that the costs were distributed over the whole field of risk as fairly as possible.
142.
There would seem to be no disadvantages in this proposal and I am convinced that arrangements along these lines are practicable. They are also very desirable having regard to the very large number of small employers in the Colony whose working capital is negligible.
VII EMPLOYMENT CODE LEGISLATION
143.
Existing labour legislation would seem to be deficient in several respects and as a result Officers of the Department of Labour carry out their duties and responsibilities with inadequate authority and backing. In addition the workers do no appear to be adequately protected in cărtain respects.