XN000022-1977-10-05 — Page 25

23

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977

MORE LABOUR LAWS WILL BE INTRODUCED ******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, REVEALED IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE SOME MORE LABOUR LEGISLATION IN THE COMING SESSION.

SIR MURRAY SAID AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO MEET SUCH FEES AS ARE CHARGED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION TO PERSONS INJURED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT TO REQUIRE THEM TO MEET THE COST OF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PROTHESIS AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES= TO PLACE A SURCHARGE ON DELAYED PAYMENT OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AND TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPLICATION.

IN ADDITION, SIR MURRAY SAID, +CONSULTATION IS TAKING PLACE WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY ECARD AND WITH BOTH SIDES OF INDUSTRY ON WHETHER THE WAGE CEILING IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SHOULD BE RAISED OR REMOVED TO EXTEND PROTECTION TO MORE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES.+

HE ALSO EXPECTED THAT A DRAFT BILL ON ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED LAST YEAR TO COMPENSATE WORKERS SUFFERING FROM SILICOSIS AND ASBESTOS IS WILL BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY.

SIR MURRAY DESCRIBED THE NEW LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED AS A +FURTHER SMALLER BUT USEFUL PACKAGE+,

+ IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE BEEN MAKING VERY RAPID PROGRESS IN WIDENING THE SCOPE OF OUR LABOUR LEGISLATION BOTH IN THE SOCIAL AND TECHNICAL FIELDS.

BUT IT HAS BECOME APPARENT, HE SAID, THAT THE PACE OF THE LEGISLATION HAS OUTRUN THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

+THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE OF HIGH CALIERE, BUT THERE ARE TOO FEW OF THEM. IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT IN THE COMING YEAR THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSOLIDATE AND BUILD UP ITS RESOURCES.+

/24