XN000022-1976-12-29 — Page 6

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1976

NEW YEAR DAY A STATUTORY HOLIDAY

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THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT SATURDAY, (JANUARY 1, 1977). IS ONE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

MR. HENDERSON EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED NOT ONLY TO INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO TO EMPLOYEES IN THE ENTIRE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND CATERING TRADES.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION AND INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE IR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST GIVE HIM AT LEAST 48 HOURS' NOTICE, AND HE MUST GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY,

IF THE EMPLOYER INTENDS TO GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST NOTIFY HIM 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE BEFORE GIVING HIM AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. AND IF AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST INFORM HIS EMPLOYEE OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.

COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICES. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638- KOWLOON WEST 3-201652- KWUN TONG 3-898520- TSUEN WAN 12-422096- YUEN LONG 12-760261 EXT. 82- AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.

IMMIGRATION SERVICE TO BE IMPROVED

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IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY CENTRALISED THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR VARIOUS IMMIGRATION FACILITIES FROM VISITORS TO HONG KONG.

WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, ALL VISITORS,

IRRESPECTIVE

OF NATIONALITY, APPLYING FOR VISAS, EXTENSIONS OF STAY AND OTHER IMMIGRATION FACILITIES WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE VISITORS SECTION ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING OR ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT'S BRANCH OFFICES.

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