SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1984
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REMINDER ON COMPULSORY INSURANCE
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A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES.
HE WARNED THAT ANY EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO DO SO COMMITS AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM $50 000 FINE AND TWO YEARS'
IMPRISONMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OWNER OF A GARMENT WORKSHOP WAS FINED $1 000 RECENTLY FOR THE OFFENCE.
HE SAID THE INSURANCE POLICY TAKEN OUT BY AN EMPLOYER IN RESPECT OF HIS EMPLOYEES MUST COVER THE FULL AMOUNT OF HIS LIABILITIES FOR BOTH COMPENSATION UNDER THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND COMMON LAW DAMAGES FOR INJURIES AND DEATH AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT AT WORK.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE INSURANCE POLICY MUST BE ISSUED BY AN INSURER AUTHORISED BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO CARRY ON ACCIDENT INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
+THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE INJURED EMPLOYEE CAN RECOVER IN HIS OWN NAME DIRECTLY FROM THE INSURERS ANY AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION WHICH HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO CLAIM AGAINST HIS EMPLOYER,+ HE SAID.
EMPLOYERS MUST ALSO DISPLAY THE IR NOTICES OF INSURANCE AT A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THE IR WORK PREMISES. THE PENALTY FOR FAILING TO PUT UP THE NOTICE IS A $10 000 FINE,
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AUTHORISED OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE EMPOWERED TO ENTER AND INSPECT PREMISES, OTHER THAN DOMESTIC PREMISES, TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYERS HAVE TAKEN OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THAT NOTICES OF INSURANCE ARE DISPLAYED AS REQUIRED.
HE URGED EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE ANY ENQUIRIES ON THE LEGISLATION ON COMPULSORY INSURANCE OR OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT'S EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION UNIT.
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