XN000022-1982-12-22 — Page 26

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1982

24

IN CERTAIN CASES WHERE AN EMPLOYER DISPUTES LIABILITY OR WHERE THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE DEGREE OF DEPENDANCY OF THE DEPENDANTS HAVE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE DISTRICT COURT, THERE MIGHT BE SOME UNAVOIDABLE DELAY IN PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION, HE SAID.

IN SUCH CASES, INJURED EMPLOYEES OR THEIR DEPENDANTS WHO ENCOUNTER FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE UNTIL THEY EVENTUALLY OBTAIN COMPENSATION.

AND A REVIEW OF THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION WAS BEING CONDUCTED AS A SEPARATE EXERCISE, HE ADDED.

ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL WAS THE REMOVAL OF THE PROVISION OF BANK GUARANTEES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INSURANCE DUE TO CONSIDERABLE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN OPERATING SUCH A SCHEME.

APART FROM COMPULSORY INSURANCE, THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO IMPROVE PROCEDURES FOR THE RECOVERY OF COMPENSATION, TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT OF AN EMPLOYER'S OBLIGATIONS, AND TO CLARIFY VARIOUS UNCERTAINTIES OR AMBIGUITIES IN THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.

THE BILL WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN TWO STAGES IN ORDER TO ALLOW BOTH EMPLOYERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS.

ALL THE PROVISIONS, EXCEPT THOSE CONCERNING COMPULSORY INSURANCE, WILL BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE AMENDING ORDINANCE IN THE GAZETTE.

THE PROVISIONS ON COMPULSORY INSURANCE WILL BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS LATER.

THE BILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW WITH A FEW AMENDMENTS.

こう