XN000022-1989-08-20 — Page 3

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1989

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SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY, WAN CHAI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRYAN CHAN, SAID HE HOPED PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAMME COULD APPLY THE VARIOUS SKILLS THEY HAD LEARNED TO THEIR DAILY LIFE.

THE CLOSING DAY'S PROGRAMME INCLUDED AN EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, QUIZZES AND SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES. HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ATTENDED.

AMONG THE GUESTS WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR DOMINIC CHAN.

TASK FORCE SAFEGUARDS WORKERS' BENEFITS

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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S TASK FORCE FORMED LAST YEAR TO STEP ENFORCEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT LAWS HAS MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN SAFEGUARDING THE STATUTORY BENEFITS OF WORKERS.

THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM. COMPRISING SEVEN EXPERIENCED LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION, MONITORS EMPLOYERS' COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

APART FROM INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYEES, THE TEAM CARRIES OUT INSPECTIONS OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO ENSURE WORKERS ARE GIVEN THEIR ENTITLEMENTS IN RESPECT OF MATERNITY PROTECTION, REST DAYS, SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, PAID HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE. THEY ALSO CHECK THAT' EMPLOYERS KEEP WAGE AND EMPLOYMENT RECORDS.

"SO FAR, THE TEAM HAS VISITED MORE THAN 2,300 ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, GARMENT FACTORIES, CONSTRUCTION SITES AND RETAIL OUTLETS IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

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"DURING THE VISITS, 105 EMPLOYERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAILED TO GIVE THE MINIMUM STATUTORY BENEFITS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

"AS A RESULT, 100 WARNINGS WERE ISSUED, WHILE FIVE SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST THOSE WHO DID NOT TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.'

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT BLATANT OFFENDERS WOULD BE PROSECUTED AND WERE LIABLE, UPON CONVICTION, ΤΟ A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10.000.

THE TEAM IS NOW CONDUCTING A ROUND OF INSPECTIONS OF ELECTRONICS FACTORIES WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY VISITS TO METALS AND PLASTICS FACTORIES LATER IN THE YEAR.

ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE CAN BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT'S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.

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