WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984
SEVERANCE PAY IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED
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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROPOSES IMPROVING THE SEVERANCE PAY PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATES OF SEVERANCE PAY FROM THE PRESENT HALF A MONTH'S PAY TO TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH'S PAY FOR EVERY YEAR OF SERVICE IN THE CASE OF MONTHLY PAID EMPLOYEES, AND FROM 13 DAYS' WAGES TO 18 DAYS' WAGES FOR DAILY RATED EMPLOYEES.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO EXTEND THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH CLAIMS FOR SEVERANCE PAY MUST BE MADE, FROM THE PRESENT ONE MONTH TO THREE MONTHS.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING ON MARCH 14. THE THIRD READING IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE BILL MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
STRIKE OUT POWER SOUGHT FOR TRIBUNAL
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THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO PROVIDE THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL WITH POWER TO SET ASIDE AN AWARD OR ORDER MADE IN THE ABSENCE OF A DEFENDANT, AND TO DISPOSE OF CLAIMS WHERE THE CLAIMANT FAILS TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING.
THESE PROPOSALS WERE INITIATED BY THE JUDICIARY AND ARE BASED ON SIMILAR PROVISIONS IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE AND IN THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT,
UNDER THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 GAZETTED TODAY, THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE ABLE TO SET ASIDE AN AWARD OR ORDER MADE BY IT IN THE ABSENCE OF A DEFENDANT, IF THE DEFENDANT APPLIES WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE HEARING OR WITHIN THE PERIOD WHICH MAY BE ALLOWED BY THE TRIBUNAL.
THE TRIBUNAL
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