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On labour relations, Mr Leung pointed out the various labour relations services now in operation would require $64 million in 1995-96.
"The increase of 11.3% over last year will also enable us, for example, to strengthen our inspection efforts relating to workers imported for Airport Core Programme projects.
The Government will spend $140.9 million, an increase of 9.5% over last year, on various new and improved services to safeguard the rights and benefits of employees under the labour laws in Hong Kong.
"These include the inspection of workplaces and the processing of employees' compensation claims, the introduction of a compensation scheme for local workers suffering from hearing loss owing to prolonged exposure to excessive noise at work and an improvement in the amount of ex-gratia payment under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance.
Mr Leung said the question of safety and health at work was also a priority area for the Government.
"We will conduct a comprehensive review of industrial safety, covering all aspects relating to enforcement, training and education, to be completed in mid-1995," he said.
In terms of fiscal expenditure, he said the Government would spend $144.5 million, up 7.2% over the current year, on various services to promote the safety and health of local workers.
These include stepping up inspections at the workplaces of the Airport Core Programme projects and publishing a series of statutory codes of safety practice.
"We will improve legislation on asbestos work, bamboo scaffolding and work in confined spaces and will introduce legislation requiring the establishment of safety committees in designated industries," Mr Leung said.
End/Friday, February 24, 1995