LA
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1992
ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN
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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS WHO TAKE ON CHILDREN IN NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS TO COMPLY STRICTLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS.
THE REMINDER WAS MADE FOLLOWING TWO COURT CASES AT THE TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A RESTAURANT SUB-CONTRACTOR AND A CANTEEN OWNER WERE FINED $3,000 AND $2,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR EMPLOYING CHILDREN ILLEGALLY.
TWO BOYS, BOTH AGED 14, WERE FOUND WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER WORKERS IN THE LI MUK SHU RESTAURANT AND THE WEI HONG CANTEEN IN KWAI CHUNG DURING INSPECTIONS BY LABOUR INSPECTORS.
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE EMPLOYERS HAD NOT OBTAINED FROM THE CHILDREN'S PARENTS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AND A VALID SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
MUST
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, AN EMPLOYER OBTAIN FROM A CHILD'S PARENTS A VALID SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE FOR THE CHILD OR EVIDENCE OF THE CHILD HAVING COMPLETED FORM 3 EDUCATION, AND A WRITTEN CONSENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT, SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION) MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN SAID.
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IN ADDITION, A CHILD AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 14 CAN BE EMPLOYED ONLY ON A PART-TIME BASIS IN AN NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, BUT SHOULD IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE EMPLOYED IN THE KITCHEN OF AN BATING ESTABLISHMENT, HE SAID.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO BREACHES THE PROVISIONS ON CHILD EMPLOYMENT IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
FOSTER CARE PLACES MORE THAN DOUBLE BY 1996/97
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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THE EXISTING 240 FOSTER CARE PLACES TO 600 BY 1996/37, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
BE
HE SAID AS A START THE NUMBER OF FOSTER CARE PLACES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD INCREASED BY 80 IN JANUARY.
"IT IS INTENDED TO CONTINUE EXPANDING FOSTER CARE PLACES UNTIL IT REPLACES INSTITUTIONAL CARE AS THE MAIN FORM OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/TO MEET