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In view of this, alternative measures to deal with this problem have latterly been considered and it is now proposed to carry out checks on construction sites from which lorries depart and persistently cause a nuisance. Contractors will be required to exercise greater care and where they do not do so, prosecution will be undertaken.
MR. FUNG:-Sir, the measure which you are going to take, as suggested in the last paragraph of your reply, does not seem to be practical. May I request that this question be referred to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee for further discussion so that a proper resolution of the matter can be made?
CHAIRMAN:-Yes, Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, apart from writing to the contractors concerned, did the Police take any further action? Did they issue any summonses, for instance?
CHAIRMAN: I am afraid, Sir, that I do not know, but I can find out for you.
(27) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:-
In view of the recent complaints of unfavourable working conditions for the labouring staffs of the Urban Services Department, will the Chairman be good enough to inform this Council:-
(a) What steps have been taken or will be taken to improve the working conditions of all Urban Services Department labouring staffs, such as the street-sweepers, cleaners, etc.?
(b) Whether consideration will be given to the proposal to provide all street-sweepers and other workers who have to handle garbage with protecting gauze to cover the nose and mouth to prevent germs and dust from being inhaled by the workers, and rubber footwear and gloves to protect their hands and feet at work?
(c) If considerations have been taken or will be taken to increase the wages of all labouring staffs in the employ of the Urban Services Department to ensure that their standard of living is in keeping with the increased cost of living?
(d) Whether, in view of the extra duties demanded of the labouring staffs of the Urban Services Department in the removal of debris, etc., caused by the series of typhoons in recent weeks, such labouring staffs have been suitably remunerated for their additional work, and if so, at what rate compared to their normal rate of payment for regular duties performed?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
In the Department there is a Welfare Committee on which all sections of labourers have representatives and the latter put forward, from time to time, proposals concerning clothing, equipment and other matters in regard to their working conditions. The use of gauze masks and gloves by street sweepers has not been proposed, although these articles of clothing are used by staff engaged in disinfecting work and in dealing with corpses. Masks are also available to nightsoil vehicle crews. Wellington boots are used by street-washing gangs, nullah cleansers and slaughter-house labourers. The female conservancy labourers recently proposed that they should be supplied with rubber shoes and this proposal is now under consideration. It is considered that as most of the domestic refuse being handled by street sweepers is fresh, there should be no undue risk of infection arising from it.
The question of the remuneration of artisans and labourers is under consideration by the Colonial Secretary, as stated in my reply to an earlier question. (No. 8).
As regards the remuneration of labourers for extra duties following the recent typhoons, labourers are, of course, paid overtime for any additional clearance work caused by typhoons. Overtime rates are calculated on basic salary. For labourers this is calculated at a hundredth part of their monthly basic salary and represents double time. In addition, if outdoor staff are required to be on duty between the hoisting and lowering of the No. 9 typhoon signal, they are eligible to receive a typhoon allowance calculated on the same basis.
Furthermore, if a labourer is required to be away from his normal place of work or his place of residence for a continuous period of 12 hours or more in any period of 24 hours, he is eligible to receive a board allowance of $4.
For August 1964 about $106,000 was paid to labourers in respect of overtime. September figures are not yet complete but they are expected to be close to $100,000.