WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
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BILL TO CREATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION SCHEME INTRODUCED
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO CREATE THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO PROTECT THE FULL ENTITLEMENT OF WORKERS UNDER THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW, IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991, SAID THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS AN IMPORTANT LANDMARK IN LABOUR LEGISLATION,
"IT INCREASES THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES AGAINST UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES OF THEIR WORKING LIVES AND GUARANTEES THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO COMPENSATION UNDER THE LAW, SHE SAID.
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EXPLAINING THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ESTABLISH THE SCHEME MISS CHOW SAID UNDER THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, · A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED COMPENSATION WAS AVAILABLE TO PROTECT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AGAINST LOSS OF INCOME IN THE EVENT OF INJURY AND DEATH,
EMPLOYERS HAD BEEN REQUIRED BY LAW SINCE 1984 TO INSURE THEMSELVES AGAINST THEIR LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE THE IR EMPLOYEES, SHE ADDED.
HOWEVER, MISS CHOW NOTED: "DESPITE THIS PROVISION, SOME WORKERS STILL FAIL TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION BECAUSE OF DEFAULTING EMPLOYERS OR INSOLVENT INSURERS.
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BETWEEN JANUARY 1981 AND JULY LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 86 SUCH CASES INVOLVING ABOUT $4 MILLION OF UNSETTLED COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
MISS CHOW SAFD THE BILL SOUGHT TO CREATE THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHENE BY PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND AND OF A STATUTORY BOARD TO
ADMINISTER IT.
THE FUND BOARD WOULD BE A BODY CORPORATE WHICH SHOULD CONSIST OF A CHAIRMAN, TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS, TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES, ONE MEMBER WITH EXPERTISE IN THE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTING, INVESTMENT OR LAW, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD, AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME, SHE SAID.
MISS CHOW SAID THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME DE FUNDED BY A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIA.
WOULD
THIS LEVY CAMR INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR WHEN THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED.
/MISS CHOW