XN000022-1978-04-26 — Page 34

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1978

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FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL

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A BILL AMENDING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAK INGS ORDINANCE SO AS TO CLARIFY ITS LEGAL EFFECT WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT DECISION WHICH CAST DOUBT ON WHETHER SAFETY REGULATIONS MADE UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE ORDINANCE COULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER SITES AND PREMISES WHERE ONLY A TYPE OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION WORK, IS REFERRED TO IN THE DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS+.

MR. HENDERSON EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL WOULD EXTEND THE DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS+ TO EMBRACE VARIOUS SPECIFIED INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AND ALSO THE PREMISES AND THE PLANT INVOLVED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AMENDMENT IS ONLY OF A TECHNICAL NATURE TO REFLECT THE REAL INTENT OF THE ORDINANCE. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT MERELY SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE LEGAL EFFECT OF EXISTING REGULATIONS AND NO NEW OBLIGATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING PRESCRIBED. HE SAID.

HE ALSO SAID THAT ONLY ABOUT FIVE OF THE EXISTING 19 SETS OF REGULATIONS, AND SOME ONLY IN VERY MINOR RESPECTS, WOULD HAVE TO BE AMENDED OR RE-ENACTED.

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