XN000022-1982-11-22 — Page 9

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1982

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TRANSFER OF THE PIU TO THE STANDING COMMISSION

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED A RECOMMENDATION OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE THAT CONTROL OF THE PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH TO THE STANDING COMMISSION.

THE STANDING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO VIEWS EXPRESSED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS THAT THE INDEPENDENCE AND IMPARTIALITY OF THE UNIT SHOULD BE EMPHASISED BY ITS BEING PLACED UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COMMISSION.

THE UNIT, CURRENTLY PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, OBTAINS DATA ON PAY LÉVELS, PAY TRENDS, FRINGE BENEFITS AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ASSIST IN FORMULATING PROPOSALS ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. ON TRANSFER TO THE COMMISSION'S CONTROL, IT WILL BE RETITLED AS THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ACCEPTED THE COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL THAT A NEW PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE SHOULD BE FORMED TO TAKE OVER THE ROLE OF THE CURRENT PIU STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL IN COMMISSIONING AND ANALYSING THE ANNUAL PAY TREND SURVEY. THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION HAS REGARD TO THE NEED TO ALLOW WIDER STAFF PARTICIPATION IN THE PAY TREND SURVEY PROCESS.

THE NEW COMMITTEE, TO BE CHAIRED BY A COMMISSION MEMBER, WILL CONSIST OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE STAFF SIDE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL, THE POLICE FORCE WHICH IS NOT REPRESENTED IN THE SENIOR COUNCIL, THE JUNIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED LATER THIS YEAR AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE STANDING COMMISSION.

INSURANCE IN SCHOOLS

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THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS IN A CIRCULAR ASKED SUPERVISORS AND HEADS OF ALL SCHOOLS TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE NEED FOR OBTAINING ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVER AGAINST THEIR PUPILS, EMPLOYEES AND THE SCHOOL PREMISES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IN ADDITION TO TAKING NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN LESSONS SUCH AS PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SCIENCE, PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS AS WELL AS IN EXTRA- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, HEADS OF SCHOOLS SHOULD TAKE OUT AN INSURANCE POLICY ON BEHALF OF THE IR PUPILS AGAINST ANY ACCIDENTAL BODILY INJURY THAT MAY BE SUSTAINED DURING SUCH ACTIVITIES.

IN THIS CONNECTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, HEADS OF SCHOOLS SHOULD NOTE THAT IF PERSONAL INJURY SHOULD OCCUR THROUGH NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF A TEACHER OR A STUDENT-TEACHER, THE SCHOOL COULD BE SUED FOR DAMAGES ARISING FROM THIS NEGLIGENCE. IN OTHER WORDS, HE SAID, THE SUPERVISOR WOULD BE LIABLE.

(AS RIPLOYERS,