2
"I am concerned that, despite this heavy agenda of Government bills, some legislators have chosen to push their Members' Bills on labour matters. A total of six such bills have so far been introduced into LegCo. One was introduced in October last year and is being examined by a bills committee. Two were introduced early this year, and three just yesterday i.e. April 10 (Thursday). We understand that a member is planning to introduce two more new Members' Bills by the end of this month," he said.
"I am, however, pleased to see that LegCo members sponsoring the six Members' Bills which were introduced into LegCo have agreed at the meeting this evening that the bills should be considered by the LAB in the first place before they are taken any further in LegCo. The LAB will consider these bills at its next two meetings," he said.
Mr Wong urged all LegCo members to concentrate their attention on those Government Bills which are now before the Council, in view of the limited time to process the bills before the end of the current legislative session.
End
Bill to fight family status discrimination announced
A Bill to outlaw discrimination on the ground of family status and to extend the remit of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to oversee the enforcement of such legislation was gazetted today (Friday).
Describing the Bill as a result of a two-month public consultation conducted last year, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Branch said it reflected the Government's considered response to the community's demand for legislation against discrimination on the ground of family status.
"The Family Status Discrimination Bill published today has taken into account a wide range of public opinions collected during the public consultation. When enacted, it will enhance equal opportunities for persons of different family status, for example, members of single parent families and those who have responsibility for the care of an elderly or a disabled family member," the spokesman said.
In the Bill, the term "family status" is defined as the status of having responsibility for the care of an immediate family member.