XN000022-1972-03-29 — Page 65

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Wednesday, March 29, 1972

Mr. Roberts reminded the public that the Tribunal would have no power

to deal with, or interfere in, industrial disputes, strikes, look-outs or

negotiations between employers and groups of workers or trade unions.

It would deal with elaims by individual workers against their employers

for money or other benefits due either under the contract of employment or the

Employment Ordinance.

He said a claim based on the appropriate provision of the Employment

Ordinance might also be dealt with by the Tribunal, if the worker's contract

did not already provide for something at least as good as that which the Ordinance

obliged the employer to provide,

Maximum Period

In moving that Clause 13 be amended, the Attorney General said this was

to meet Dr. the Hon. S.Y. Chung's suggestion that there should be a maximum

period within which the date for the hearing of a claim must be fixed, in order

to ensure that claims were dealt with speedily.

He emphasised that "the bill is meant to provide a quick method of

settling claims. If the process is slow, the Bill will not achieve its purpose."

In moving that Clause 15 be amended, Mr. Roberts said the firet amendment

would oblige the conciliation certificate required under Clause 15(1) to be produced

to the Tribunal at least 24 hours before the date fixed for the hearing of the

claim.

This, he said, again was intended to ensure that no avoidable delay

occurred in dealing with a claim.

This Bill