XN000022-1974-08-23 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1974

NEW SEVERANCE PAY LAW NOW IN FORCE

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LEGISLATION GRANTING HONG KONG WORKERS THE RIGHT TO CLAIM SEVERANCE PAY IF THEY LOSE THEIR JOBS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN COMES INTO EFFECT TODAY.

THEY ARE COVERED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) ORDINANCE 1974 WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE PROVISIONS COVER ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH, AND SET OUT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY WOULD QUALIFY FOR AND RECEIVE SEVERANCE PAY ON REDUNDANCY.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MADE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL FOLLOWING PUBLIC DEBATE BUT THESE DO NOT ALTER THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF GIVING EVERY QUALIFIED WORKER THE RIGHT TO CLAIM SEVERANCE PAY ON REDUNDANCY.

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE PUBLISHING A LEAFLET IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE TO EXPLAIN THE NEW LAW..

KOWLOON RECEPTION CENTRE

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A NEW RECEPTION CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT IN KOWLOON TO HELP EASE THE HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE VICTORIA RECEPTION CENTRE, WHICH NOW HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 850 INMATES A DAY.

THE NEW CENTRE WILL BE SITUATED AT LAI CHI KOK ON THE WEST SIDE OF BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, OPPOSITE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY'S LINK SUBSTATION.

IT WILL BE A MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION PROVIDING ACCOMODATION FOR ABOUT 1,000 INMATES. QUARTERS AND BARRACKS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTIAL STAFF.

PART OF THE 150,000 SQ. FT. SITE WAS ONCE OCCUPIED BY THE FORMER LAI CHI KOK WOMEN'S PRISON WHICH WAS DEMOLISHED EARLY THIS YEAR. A PORTION OF THE ADJACENT HILLSIDE WAS CUT BACK AND FORMED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BUILDING LAND.

TENDERS ARE NOW INVITED FOR SITE FORMATION WORK WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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