XN000022-1983-09-14 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1983

ACTION GROUP LOOKS INTO BEACH POLLUTION

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE TO CO-ORDINATE ANTI-POLLUTION MEASURES AT SWIMMING BEACHES TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC.

THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, COMPRISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIRECTOR OF CITY SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND DIRECTOR OF MARINE.

AT THEIR FIRST MEETING TODAY, THE BEACH POLLUTION ACTION COMMITTEE CALLED FOR PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS INDICATING THE SCOPE FOR MEASURES WHICH MIGHT BRING ABOUT QUICK IMPROVEMENTS TO POLLUTION LEVELS AT THE POPULAR BEACHES. THE PROBLEM OF FLOATING REFUSE AT THE BEACHES WAS ALSO DISCUSSED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED HOWEVER THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONCERN ITSELF WITH POLLUTION AT THOSE NON-GAZETTED BEACHES WHICH ARE USED FREQUENTLY BY SWIMMERS, AND WILL REVIEW EXISTING POLICY ON THE MONITORING OF WATER QUALITY AT THESE BEACHES.

IT WILL CONCENTRATE ON ACTION WHICH MIGHT USEFULLY BE TAKEN DIRECTLY AT OR NEAR ALL THE POPULAR BEACHES TO CONTROL POLLUTION, HE SAID.

THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE ARE: +TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE LEVELS OF POLLUTION AT ALL BEACHES, WHETHER OR NOT GAZETTED, WHICH ARE POPULARLY USED FOR SWIMMING AND TO DEVISE AND ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES TO COMBAT SUCH POLLUTION.+

EMPLOYERS TOLD ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAY

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A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THURSDAY (SEPTEMBER 22), THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL, IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS EMPLOYED LOCALLY OR FROM OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $7 500 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE EMPLOYEE'S EARNINGS, INCLUDING WAGES AND ALLOWANCES BUT EXCLUDING OVERTIME PAY, ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY. WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE OF THE DAILY EARNINGS DURING A PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY. PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NORMAL PAY DAY.

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