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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1980
WELFARE CLASS REVIEW OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
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THE STEERING COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONDUCT A WELFARE CLASS REVIEW OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR MET YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) TO CONSIDER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED BY ITS WORKING GROUP.
THE COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
AT THE MEETING, COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPRESENTING BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES REACHED CONSENSUS ON THE NEXT AND FINAL STAGE OF WORK.
BEFORE PUTTING THIS IN HAND, IT WAS AGREED TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AFFECTED BY THE REVIEW.
TO ALLOW TIME FOR THIS CONSULTATION, THE STEERING COMMITTEE DECIDED TO MEET AGAIN IN NOVEMBER TO CONSIDER FUTURE ACTION IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS TO BE EXPRESSED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE IS DETERMINED TO BRING THIS EXERCISE TO A QUICK AND SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION SO THAT EARLY RECOMMENDATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT,
NEW EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION RATES EFFECTIVE TOMORROW
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THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES IMPROVED STATUTORY BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES INJURED AND THE DEPENDANTS OF THOSE KILLED AT WORK COMES INTO OPERATION TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IS RENAMED EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AS THE BENEFITS ARE EXTENDED TO ALL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS.
IN VIEW OF THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS TO INSURE AGAINST THEIR LIABILITIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE NEW COMPENSATION LEVELS ARE - UNDER 40 YEARS OLD: 84 MONTHS EARNINGS FOR DEATH AND 96 MONTHS EARNINGS FOR PERMANENT TOTAL INCAPACITY- 40 TO UNDER 56 YEARS OLD: 60 MONTHS AND 72 MONTHS- AND 56 YEARS OLD AND OVER: 36 MONTHS AND 48 MONTHS.
THE COMPENSATION PAYABLE IN ALL CASES, HOWEVER, IS SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $168 000 FOR DEATH AND $192 000 FOR PERMANENT TOTAL
INCAPACITY, AND A MINIMUM OF $49 000 AND $56 00D RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT LAW REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER TO PAY THE COST OF THE INITIAL SUPPLY AND FITTING OF A PROSTHESIS OR SURGICAL APPLIANCE, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $10 000.
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