FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1984
12
BILL DEALS WITH 'DOUBLE PAY'
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THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1984, DEALING MAINLY WITH THE PRACTICE OF END-OF-YEAR PAYMENT, BETTER KNOWN AS YEAR-END DOUBLE PAY, OR ANNUAL BONUS, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
IT ALSO STREAMLINES AND RECTIFIES CERTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, MR DONALD CHAN, CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN REGARD TO END-OF-YEAR PAYMENT WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THOSE CONTRACTS WHICH MADE PROVISION FOR SUCH PAYMENT, AND WOULD NOT IMPOSE ANY ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL BURDEN ON EMPLOYERS.
HE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT SOME CONFUSION OVER THE ISSUE, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN EMPLOYEE'S CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED.
TO AVOID DISPUTES, THE BILL PROPOSES TO PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE WHEREBY EMPLOYEES WITH NOT LESS THAN 26 WEEKS' SERVICE, WOULD BE ENTITLED TO END-OF-YEAR PAYMENT ON A PRO-RATA BASIS.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSAL WOULD NOT APPLY TO INCENTIVE OR GRATUITOUS PAYMENTS, AND PAYMENTS MADE ENTIRELY AT THE DISCRETION OF EMPLOYERS.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 2, AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON JULY 11.
IM
BILL TO CLEAR DOUBT ABOUT PATIENTS' DRUGS
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THE LAW IS TO BE AMENDED TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT PATIENTS' RIGHT TO POSSESS CONTROLLED ANTIBIOTICS AND POISONS WHICH THEY HAVE OBTAINED BY PRESCRIPTION.
THIS PROPOSAL IS CONTAINED IN THE ANTIBIOTICS, PHARMACY AND POISONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
+UNDER THE ANTIBIOTICS ORDINANCE AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE, POSSESSION OF ANTIBIOTICS AND CERTAIN POISONS IS ALREADY PROHIBITED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
+EXEMPIONS ARE GRANTED TO CERTAIN APPROVED CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE BUT PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED ANTIBIOTICS OR POISONS AS MEDAGING ARE NOT AT PRESENT ON INE EXEMPTION LIST..
WHEN DELIVERING