65
Wednesday, March 29, 1972
Mr. Roberts reminded the public that the Tribunal would have no power
to deal with, or interfere in, industrial disputes, strikes, look-outs or
negotiations between employers and groups of workers or trade unions.
It would deal with elaims by individual workers against their employers
for money or other benefits due either under the contract of employment or the
Employment Ordinance.
He said a claim based on the appropriate provision of the Employment
Ordinance might also be dealt with by the Tribunal, if the worker's contract
did not already provide for something at least as good as that which the Ordinance
obliged the employer to provide,
Maximum Period
In moving that Clause 13 be amended, the Attorney General said this was
to meet Dr. the Hon. S.Y. Chung's suggestion that there should be a maximum
period within which the date for the hearing of a claim must be fixed, in order
to ensure that claims were dealt with speedily.
He emphasised that "the bill is meant to provide a quick method of
settling claims. If the process is slow, the Bill will not achieve its purpose."
In moving that Clause 15 be amended, Mr. Roberts said the firet amendment
would oblige the conciliation certificate required under Clause 15(1) to be produced
to the Tribunal at least 24 hours before the date fixed for the hearing of the
claim.
This, he said, again was intended to ensure that no avoidable delay
occurred in dealing with a claim.
This Bill