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Friday, December 15, 1972
The Government spokesman said the incidence of desertion of
Hong Kong registered seamen has become a serious problem affecting Hong
Kong, the shipping industry, and the country in which the seaman deserts,
"The reputation of Hong Kong as a recruiting centre and the
livelihood of Hong Kong seamen will suffer if the number of desertion is
not reduced," he added.
The second bill also amends the definition of seaman to include
all persons comprising the complement of a foreign-going ship other
than master, certificated mate, certificated engineer, doctor or persons
serving in capacities excluded by the Seamen's Recruiting Authority.
Exclusion
"The exclusion of this miscellaneous category of employees has
in practice enabled men to join ships through intermediaries, at exorbitant
fees, ostensibly as tallymen and compradors while they actively work as
deckhand, cook or engine room donkeyman," the spokesman said.
Another proposed amendment empowers the Superintendent to order
any scamen to undergo a medical examination and to suspend the seaman from
the register if he fails to pass it. If, subsequently, the seaman is certified
to bo medically fit, his name will be re-entered into the register.
The spokesman said the second bill has been drafted to eliminto some
of the deficiencies which have come to light with experience of the working
of the Seamen's Recruiting Office which was opened in June, 1966.
He recalled