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THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1978
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER TO EMPLOYERS
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THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. J.C.A. HAMMOND, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY DESIGNATED A DATE FOR THE FLOATING HOLIDAY BY THE END OF LAST YEAR, THEY SHOULD GIVE THEIR EMPLOYEES A DAY OFF EITHER ON JULY 1 OR AUGUST 7 THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE FLOATING HOLIDAY - ONE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS - MUST BE DESIGNATED BY THE EMPLOYER AND NOTIFIED TO EMPLOYEES BY A NOTICE PLACED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE BY THE END OF THE PRECEDING YEAR.
MR. HAMMOND EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED TO EMPLOYEES IN ALL AREAS INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND CATERING TRADES.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 4 MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYER WANTS AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST GIVE HIM AT LEAST 48 HOURS' NOTICE, AND GIVE HIM AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IF HE INTENDS TO GIVE THE EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST NOTIFY HIM 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. IF IT IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST INFORM THE EMPLOYEE OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: FOR HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60- KOWLOON EAST 3-205638- KOWLOON WEST 3-201652- KWUN TONG 3-898520* TSUEN WAN 12-422096- AND TUEN MUN 12-818443.
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