XN000022-1986-05-23 — Page 3

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1986

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PUBLIC HOLIDAY PROPOSED FOR QUEEN'S VISIT

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AN ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY WILL BE APPOINTED THIS YEAR TO MARK THE QUEEN'S VISIT IN OCTOBER, IT 15 PROPOSED IN THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY (ROYAL VISIT) BILL 1986 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OCCASION, THE ROYAL VISIT STEERING COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, BE APPOINTED A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.

HE ADDED THAT THE EXTRA HOLIDAY, PROPOSED TO FALL ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE ROYAL VISIT, WAS ALSO INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS EVENTS BEING ORGANISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE VISIT.

SIMILAR TO THE ARRANGEMENT MADE ON JULY 29, 1981 TO MARK THE WEDDING OF THE PRINCE OF WALES, OCTOBER 22, 1986 WILL BE APPOINTED A STATUTORY HOLIDAY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND A GENERAL HOLIDAY UNDER THE HOLIDAYS ORDINANCE.

THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIES TO MANUAL WORKERS AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS WITH MONTHLY SALARY NOT EXCEEDING $10 500 WHILE THE HOLIDAYS ORDINANCE APPLIES TO ALL BANKS, EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS, PUBLIC OFFICES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+HOWEVER, TO GIVE EMPLOYERS FLEXIBILITY IN STAFF DEPLOYMENT, THOSE WHO FIND IT INCONVENIENT TO GRANT A HOLIDAY TO THE IR EMPLOYEES ON OCTOBER 22 MAY ARRANGE TO HAVE THE HOLIDAY TAKEN ANYTIME WITHIN 60 DAYS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING OR FOLLOWING THAT DATE.

LEGISLATIVE PROVISION FOR SUCH ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENT IS CONTAINED IN SECTION 39 OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY (ROYAL VISIT) BILL 1986 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON JUNE 4.

COMMENTS ON THE BILL CAN BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD OR TO UMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.

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