XN000022-1977-12-07 — Page 15

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977

+BY THIS TIME, SAID MR. WILLIAMS, HE SHOULD EITHER HAVE RECOVERED FROM HIS INJURY OR BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT INCAPACITY.+

THE BILL ALSO SETS OUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH EMPLOYERS MAY BE EXEMPT FROM LIABILITY, THE MANNER IN WHICH A WORKMAN MAY BRING A CLAIM AGAINST EMPLOYER FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES, THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND WORKMEN OVER MEDICAL EXPENSES MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, AND THE MEANS BY WHICH A WORKMAN MAY RECOVER MEDICAL EXPENSES FROM THE EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO DISCHARGE HIS LIABILITY.

THE DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS LATER ADJOURNED.

AMENDMENTS TO FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS

ORDINANCE PROPOSED

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A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN PROPOSED.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAK INGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. PETER WILLIAMS SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENTS WAS FOURFOLD.

THE FIRST WAS TO MAKE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE COVER THE NEW GRADE OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF THE HEAD OF FACTORY INSPECTORATE FROM LABOUR OFFICER (INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS) TO CHIEF FACTORY

INSPECTOR.

THE SECOND WAS TO EXTEND THE DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING TO COVER THE LOADING, UNLOADING OR HANDLING OF GOODS AT AN AIRPORT TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION NO.90.

THE THIRD, MR. WILLIAMS SAID, WAS TO INCLUDE ANY UNDERTAKING WHICH IS NOT CARRIED ON BY WAY OF TRADE OR FOR PURPOSES OF GAIN, EXCEPT A REGISTERED SCHOOL, INTO THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF CHILD EMPLOYMENT.

THIS AMENDMENT, MR. WILLIAMS POINTED OUT, WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO COMPLY FULLY WITH INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION NO.5.

FOURTHLY THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WILL EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO EMPLOY TEMPORARY CONSULTANTS AS AND WHEN REQUIRED TO ACCOMPANY FACTORY INSPECTORS AND GIVE ADVICE ON TECHNICAL AND OTHER ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY. THESE TEMPORARY CONSULTANTS WOULD BE UNDER THE SAME RESTRAINTS AS ANY PUBLIC OFFICER AND WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM DIVULGING INFORMATION GAINED DURING THE COURSE OF INSPECTIONS.

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