XN000022-1987-01-14 — Page 36

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LEGISLATION HAD BEEN REVIEWED FOUR TIMES SINCE IT CAME INTO EFFECT IN JUNE 1981.

THE FIRST OF THESE REVIEWS, MADE IN MAY 1982, CONCLUDED +THAT THE PROVISIONS WERE ACHIEVING THEIR OBJECTIVE, SUBJECT TO SOME MINOR AMENDMENTS TO REMOVE AMBIGUITIES CONCERNING CALCULATION OF MATERNITY LEAVE AND ENTITLEMENT TO STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY DURING SUCH LEAVE+.

THESE AMENDMENTS WERE ENDORSED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND WERE ENACTED IN JULY 1984.

+THE LEGISLATION WAS AGAIN REVIEWED IN 1983 AND 1985, AND THE MOST RECENT REVIEW WAS COMPLETED AT THE END OF 1986, + MR BRIDGE SAID.

+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS LAST REVIEW WAS TO CONSIDER WHETHER ADDITIONAL PROTECTION WAS NECESSARY AGAINST TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF PREGNANCY AND WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE PROVISION FOR EARLIER RESUMPTION OF WORK AFTER CONFINEMENT, IF THE EMPLOYEE HERSELF SO WISHES.

+THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL NOW CONSULT THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ON PROPOSALS IN BOTH THESE AREAS.+

THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO REVIEW THIS LEGISLATION FROM TIME TO TIME, HE SAID.

DEATH AT GAS PLANT BEING INVESTIGATED

*****

THE DEATH OF A TECHNICAL OFFICER AT A GAS COMPANY'S WORK SITE IN TAI PO IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN, MR BRIDGE SAID A REPORT BY TWO INSPECTORS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CORONER'S OFFICE SHORTLY AND IT WAS LIKELY THAT AN INQUEST WOULD BE HELD. THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT WERE AT PRESENT UNCLEAR, HE ADDED.

/MR BRIDGE