XN000022-1985-11-28 — Page 17

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1985

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SET UP AD HOC GROUP FOR PROVIDENT FUND

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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP AN AD HOC GROUP OR COMMITTEE DURING THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY AND RELATED TECHNICAL ISSUES REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE THREE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI TODAY (THURSDAY) DURING THE SECOND DAY OF THE POLICY DEBATE.

HIS OTHER TWO RECOMMENDATIONS WERE:

* THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE

PROVISIONS OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE, WITH A VIEW TO EXTENDING ITS SCOPE OF PROTECTION TO INCLUDE TERMINATION AND SEVERANCE PAY.

* THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO REVIEW

AND AMEND ANY LABOUR LEGISLATION IN WHICH LOOPHOLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

MR PANG SAID IT WAS NOW TIME TO CONSIDER SETTING UP A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME, NOTING THAT THIS WAS THE EARNEST DESIRE OF THE LABOUR SECTOR AND THOSE WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE MASSES IN OUR SOCIETY.

+MOREOVER, ENHANCING LABOUR WELFARE MEASURES NOT ONLY HELPS TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL STABILITY, BUT WOULD ALSO REDUCE EXCUSES BY TRADE PROTECTIONISTS OVERSEAS FOR ATTACKING HONG KONG AS ENGAGING IN UNFAIR COMPETITION' OR EVEN DESCRIBING HONG KONG AS A LABOUR-EXPLOITING 'SWEAT SHOP',+ HE ADDED.

MR PANG SAID OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WORKERS IN HONG KONG HAD OFTEN BEEN SUBJECT TO THREATS OF SUFFERING LOSSES CAUSED BY THE SUDDEN CLOSURES OF BADLY MANAGED OR IMPROPERLY OPERATED COMPANIES.

+DESPITE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 'PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND', THERE IS STILL NO SAFEGUARD THAT WORKERS WILL GET THE IR TERMINATION AND SEVERANCE PAY BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SCOPE OF PROTECTION COVERED BY THE FUND, HE SAID.

AS A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, MR PANG SAID IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND UNDERTAKING TO SEE THAT LABOUR RIGHTS AND INTERESTS IN HONG KONG WERE BEING FIRMLY SAFEGUARDED NOW AND IN FUTURE.

HE STRESSED THAT THE LABOUR SECTOR DID EARNESTLY HOPE THAT SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR LABOUR ISSUES SO THAT THEY COULD CONTINUE TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS IN A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS ENVIRONMENT.

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