XN000022-1982-12-22 — Page 25

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1982

ON THE SECOND POINT, CONCERNING COMPULSORY INSURANCE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL REQUIRES AN EMPLOYER TO TAKE OUT EITHER COMPULSORY INSURANCE OR A BANK GUARANTEE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF LIABILITY FOR BOTH COMPENSATION AND DAMAGES IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AT WORK.

HE SAID THE UNOFFICIALS HAD NOTICED THERE WOULD BE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BANK GUARANTEES AND THEREFORE ASKED THE COMMISSIONER TO CONSIDER REMOVING THE PROVISION.

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD SINCE ADVISED ON THE MATTER AND HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE BANK GUARANTEE PROVISIONS WOULD BE DELETED AND AMENDMENTS MOVED TO THAT EFFECT.

DR FANG THEN REFERRED TO THE NEED TO PUBLICISE THE REQUIREMENTS, AND SAID HE WAS RELIEVED TO LEARN THAT THE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS WOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED FOR AT LEAST A YEAR, AND THAT DURING THAT TIME EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE MATTER, SO THAT EVEN THE SMALL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING COOKED FOOD STALLS, WOULD BE AWARE OF THEM.

+1 WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH PUBLICITY, + DR FANG SAID, IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, THE HON SELINA CHOW URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN SHORTENING THE WAITING PERIOD FOR COMPENSATION IN CASES WHERE DISPUTES COULD CAUSE DELAYS.

ON THE MATTER OF COMPENSATION RATES FOR DEATH OR PERMANENT INCAPACITY, MRS CHOW CALLED FOR BIANNUAL REVIEWS OF THE LEVELS OF PAYMENT. SHE ALSO CALLED FOR A REVIEW OF BURIAL EXPENSES PAYABLE IN CASES OF DEATH WHERE THE DECEASED LEAVES NO DEPENDANTS. THE $3 000 NOW PROVIDED WAS FAR FROM ADEQUATE AT TODAY'S PRICES, SHE SAID.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, STRESSED THAT HE WOULD ARRANGE FOR AN EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT THE MESSAGE REACHED ALL EMPLOYERS, LARGE AND SMALL.

HE WOULD ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PROVISION WOULD INCLUDE DOMESTIC EMPLOYMENT.

MR HENDERSON ASSURED DR FANG THAT HE WOULD REVIEW THE COMPOSITION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOARD AFTER ABOUT A YEAR, AND WOULD CONSULT WITH MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

MR HENDERSON ALSO SAID HE SHARED THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW'S VIEW THAT THE PERIOD REQUIRED FOR SETTLING CASES BE SHORTENED, AND THAT THE ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING LEVELS OF COMPENSATION, INCLUDING BURIAL EXPENSES, SHOULD BE REVIEWED.

THIS IS WHY VARIOUS MEASURES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE BILL IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION, HE SAID.