XN000022-1975-11-19 — Page 6

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

DR. CHUNG SAID HE RECOGNISED HOWEVER THAT THERE WAS NO EASY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INEXPENSIVE LAND UNDER RESTRICTIVE USE AT THE EXTREME EAST END OF THE TRAMWAY FOR A DEPOT, SHOULD THE COMPANY ULTIMATELY DEVELOP OR SELL ITS PRESENT VALUABLE PIECE OF LAND.

ALSO SPEAKING ON THE BILL, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE INCREASE FROM 20 TO 30 CENTS BE INTRODUCED ON JULY 1, 1976 INSTEAD OF ON DECEMBER 1, 1975 +FOR THE BROADER REASONS IN REGARD TO THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY AND THE PUBLIC CONCERN OVER STABLE LIVING COSTS.+

MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL TO WAIVE ALL ROYALTIES FOR 1974 AND 1975. +THIS WOULD BRING THE COMPANY'S RATE OF RETURN FOR EACH OF THESE YEARS TO 13.2 PER CENT AND 10.73 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, ASSUMING THERE IS NO INCREASE ON DECEMBER 1, 1975, + HE SAID.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT THE COMPANY'S RATE OF RETURN FOR 1976 WOULD BE 32.1 PER CENT IF THE INCREASE WAS TO BE INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 1, 1975 AND HE BELIEVED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO GREAT HARDSHIP IF THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASE WERE TO BE DELAYED UNTIL 1976.

HE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THIS BILL.

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GREATER PROTECTION FOR JOB HUNTERS

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A RECENT COURT CASE REVEALED A LOOPHOLE IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH ORIGINALLY AIMED TO STOP EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES FROM CHARGING, JOB SEEKERS EXPENSES OVER AND ABOVE FEES AND COMMISSION ALLOWED BY THE REGULATIONS, MR. IAN PRICE, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, SAID IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. PRICE WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975.

HE SAID THAT THE NEW AMENDMENT MERELY CLARIFIED THE LAW AND IN NO WAY AFFECTED THE RIGHT OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY RECOUPING EXPENSES. FROM POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS.

THE REGULATIONS STATE THAT A JOB-SEEKER NEEDS ONLY PAY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY A MAXIMUM OF $3 AS A FEE WITH ANOTHER $3 PAYABLE ON RE-REGISTRATION. IN ADDITION A JOB-SEEKER MAY BE ASKED TO PAY UP TO A MAXIMUM COMMISSION OF 10 PER CENT OF THE FIRST MONTH'S WAGES TO AN AGENCY AFTER SECURING EMPLOYMENT.

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