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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1976
EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977
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THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF SICKNESS ALLOWANCE FOR EMPLOYEES FROM HALF TO TWO-THIRDS PAY WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SICKNESS DAYS WHICH MAY BE ACCUMULATED FROM 24 OVER TWO YEARS TO 36 OVER THREE YEARS.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO REDUCE THE PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE BY WORKERS TO QUALIFY FOR PAID SICKNESS DAYS FROM THREE MONTHS TO ONE MONTH.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, SAID THE PROPOSED INCREASE WOULD BRING THE RATE OF SICK PAY INTO LINE WITH THE RATE FOR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY UNDER THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASED NUMBER OF SICKNESS DAYS WHICH MIGHT BE ACCUMULATED WOULD BENEFIT THOSE EMPLOYEES WITH LONGER SERVICE AND WHO SUFFER MORE LENGTHY OR SERIOUS SICKNESS.
MR. PRICE SAID THE NEW QUALIFYING PERIOD WOULD ENTITLE A WORKER TO ONE PAID SICKNESS DAY FOR EACH COMPLETED MONTH OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE SICKNESS DAYS.
HE ADDED THAT THIS NEW PROPOSAL SHOULD SIMPLIFY THE KEEPING OF RECORDS.
FINALLY MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT ALL THE OTHER EXISTING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SICKNESS ALLOWANCE IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
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