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WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1988
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HE SUPPORTED THE VIEW THAT THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND SHOULD BE MADE "PUBLIC BODIES' UNDER THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, THE INCORPORATION OF A PROVISION INTO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL'S CONSTITUTION TO STIPULATE A TIME LIMIT FOR THE PROCESSING OF MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS WHICH WOULD BIND BOTH PARTIES WOULD ENSURE FAIR PLAY WITHIN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY, MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED.
FULL COMPENSATION FROM TRAVEL FUND ADVOCATED
COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF DEFAULTING TRAVEL AGENTS SHOULD BE SET AT 100 PER CENT BY INCREASING THE LEVY ON TRAVEL AGENTS TO 1.43 PER CENT, THE HON K.C. CHAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE PUBLIC FELT THAT 100 PER CENT COMPENSATION WAS FAIR, AND TO INCREASE THE LEVY TO 1.43 PER CENT WOULD MEAN AN INCREASE OF ONLY $8.6 FOR A $3,000 TOUR.
SPEAKING ON THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, MR CHAN SAID ANOTHER OPTION TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF WHETHER THE COMPENSATION SHOULD BE 100 PER CENT OR 70 PER CENT WAS TO SET A LOW CEILING OF, SAY, $5,000 PER CLAIM OR LOWER.
THIS WOULD MEAN 100 PER CENT COMPENSATION FOR THE ABSOLUTE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD ONLY THE LESS EXPENSIVE TOURS.
"HOW WOULD ONE LIKE, AFTER PAYING LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUM, TO FIND THAT ONE'S WIDOW OR WIDOWER COULD ONLY RECEIVE 70 PER CENT OF THE SUM INSURED?" HE QUESTIONED, WHEN REFERRING TO THE 70 PER CENT COMPENSATION PROVIDED FOR BY THE BILL.
MR CHAN ALSO COMPARED THE TRAVEL AGENTS RESERVE FUND (TARF) WITH THE PROTECTION OF WAGES IN INSOLVENCY FUND (PWIF).
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"THE PWIF PLANNERS KNEW THAT IT HAS TO CATER FOR 2.6
2.7 MILLION EMPLOYEES; IT KNEW THE AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL AMOUNT OF BANKRUPTCIES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS; IT SETS A CEILING FOR PAYMENT FOR EACH CASE; IT HAS ACCUMULATED SIX MONTHS' LEVY IN RESERVE BEFORE COMMENCING OPERATION; IT HAS A SIMPLE WAY TO COLLECT A CONTINUOUS MONTHLY INCOME AND IT KNOWS THAT IT CAN MEET A ONE-OFF PAYMENT FOR ONE PER CENT UNEMPLOYMENT OF HONG KONG'S WORK FORCE, HE SAID.
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