WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1979
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HIGHER WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL WORKERS NOW EFFECTIVE
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THE WAGE CEILING COVERING NON-MANUAL WORKERS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE HAS BEEN RAISED FROM $2,000 TO $3,500 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 27, EXTENDING THE PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE TO MORE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT REITERATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID MANY ENQUIRIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 25.
THE AMENDMENT CAME INTO EFFECT WHEN IT WAS GAZETTED TWO DAYS LATER, HE STRESSED.
+THE REASON FOR THE AMENDMENT, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED +IS THAT A NUMBER OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS PREVIOUSLY ENTITLED TO THE PROTECTION AND BENEFITS OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM ITS COVERAGE FOLLOWING WAGE RISES BROUGHT ABOUT BY COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.+
+THEREFORE, THE RAISING OF THE WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL WORKERS IS REALLY TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EITHER BECOME 'DISENFRANCHISED' DUE TO COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS IN WAGES OR ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE BECAUSE OF PERIODIC WAGE ADJUSTMENTS,+ HE ADDED.
SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR NT FOLKS ******
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU THAT'S THE THEME OF GOVERNMENT'S LATEST EFFORT TO FOSTER BETTER COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND DISTRICT
IDENTITY AMONG RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THOSE LIVING ON THE ISLANDS.
+WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE THIS AND WE'RE CONFIDENT WE WILL THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, + SAID MR. STANLEY LEE, THE REGIONAL RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES).
HE ADDED THAT $810,000 HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE +GETTING TO KNOW YOU+ PROGRAMME WHICH WILL BE CO-ORDINATED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE SEVEN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE NEED FOR SUCH A PROGRAMME WAS APPARENT BECAUSE OF THE RAPID GROWTH IN POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON THE ISLANDS, MR. LEE SAID.
/THE OBJECTIVE
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