(b)
(c)
-
21
•
of the average waiting time for such cases to be heard in court; and
whether foreign domestic helpers are allowed to find jobs to make a living during the pre- hearing period?
Reply:
Mr President,
Foreign domestic helpers who wish to sue their employers for mistreatment may lodge their complaints with the Police, the Labour Department, the Labour Tribunal or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board (MECAB). However, statistics are not kept specifically on foreign domestic helpers as a category of complaint. I am nevertheless advised by the Judiciary Administrator that the number of labour dispute cases involving foreign domestic helpers which are now awaiting adjudication by the Labour Tribunal is in the region of 500. 19 cases involving foreign domestic helpers are awaiting hearing by MECAB.
At present, the average length of time between the lodging of a claim with the Labour Tribunal and its adjudication is around 6.5 months. The waiting time for adjudication is expected to be reduced with the setting up of MECAB from 23 December last year.
Foreign domestic helpers whose contracts have been terminated prematurely may be allowed to remain on visitors' condition pending the hearing of their claims against their previous employers. As visitors, they are not allowed to take up employment during the periods of their permitted stay in Hong Kong.
End/Wednesday, January 18, 1995
Student representatives on councils of tertiary institutions
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Conrad Lam Kui-shing and a reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Michael Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is learnt that the boards of governors of individual tertiary institutions hold different attitudes towards student participation, and that this has given some students the impression that the boards of governors of their institutions are discriminating against them. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: