WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1983
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+THEY REPRESENT A TYPICAL HONG KONG COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE IMMEDIATE SHORT TERM INTERESTS OF EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE,✦ HE ADDED.
MR LO OUTLINED THE OBJECTIVES OF THE AMENDMENTS AS FOLLOWS:
* TO EXTEND THE PERIOD DURING WHICH SICK LEAVE IS EARNED
AT TWO DAYS EACH MONTH FROM THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT TO THE FIRST 12 MONTHS;
* TO MAKE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS BY INTRODUCING A FORM
OF RETROACTIVE LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE RATE BUT ONLY THE RATE AT WHICH SICK LEAVE IS TO BE EARNED;
* TO REMOVE THE HOSPITAL STAY REQUIREMENT FOR SICK LEAVE
IN EXCESS OF 90 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF CLAIMED SICK LEAVE; BUT TO PROVIDE THAT A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE CERTIFYING THE EMPLOYEE'S TREATMENT AT A HOSPITAL MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE EMPLOYER IF THE EMPLOYEE HAS TAKEN SICK LEAVE IN EXCESS OF HIS 36 DAYS ENTITLEMENT;
* TO INCLUDE GOVERNMENT SPECIALIST CLINICS IN THE DEFINITION
OF A HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REFERRED TO EARLIER TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A BRIEF RECORD OF INVESTIGATION AND TREATMENT WHERE REQUIRED BY THE EMPLOYER ;
* TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO KEEP A SICK LEAVE RECORD TO SHOW
THE SICK LEAVE POSITION OF EACH EMPLOYEE;
* TO DIVIDE SICK LEAVE ENTITLEMENT INTO 2 CATEGORIES:
CATEGORY 1 TO CONTAIN THE SICK LEAVE EARNED UP TO 36 DAYS AND CATEGORY 2 TO CONTAIN THE SICK LEAVE EARNED OTHER THAN CATEGORY 1 UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 84 DAYS; AND
*
TO REQUIRE THE SICK LEAVE BE FIRST DEDUCTED FROM CATEGORY 1 AND FINALLY TO MAKE ALL CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS.
UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT INCREASED SICK LEAVE ENTITLEMENT
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THE AD HOC GROUP OF THE UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS CONSIDERING THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE SICK LEAVE ENTITLEMENT TO A MAXIMUM OF 120 DAYS. THE HON PETER C WONG SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR WONG, CONVENER OF THE GROUP, SAID, AFTER HEARING VIEWS FROM EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE BILL IS NOT IN DISPUTE.
+THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT SICKNESS BENEFITS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER WORKERS WHO MAY BE SICK FOR LONG PERIODS.
/TEN OTHER
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