XN000022-1990-04-30 — Page 6

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MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1990

ON

MR YEUNG ADMITTED THAT PAYMENT FROM THE PROTECTION OF WAGES INSOLVENCY FUND TO EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN LIMITED ΤΟ RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT, OUT OF CONCERN THAT THE FUND MIGHT BE DEPLETED TOO FAST.

"BUT WE ARE REVIEWING THE POSSIBILITY OF RAISING THE LEVEL OF PAYMENTS AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME TO A DECISION LATER ON THIS YEAR," HE SAID,

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IN ADDITION TO THIS THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND I ARE NOW CONTEMPLATING WHETHER IT MIGHT BE FEASIBLE TO INCREASE THE INCOME OF THE FUND BY INCREASING THE LEVY ON BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES, WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING A MUCH BETTER LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR SEVERANCE PAY ENTITLEMENTS.

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ON THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS WHO SUSTAINED PROCESS INJURIES IN WORK, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW IN THE OF SETTING UP AN EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME.

"THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS то IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY. SINCE 1978, THE GOVERNMENT HAD

SAFETY REGULATIONS AND PROMULGATED SEVEN SETS OF INDUSTRY-WIDE

HAD ALSO HELD NUMEROUS PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS TO PROMOTE THE VIRTUE OF PREVENTION OVER CURE, HE SAID.

"THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THIS REGULATORY LEGISLATION AND PUBLICITY HAS BEEN A STEADY REDUCTION IN THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY.

"

IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, HOWEVER, THE RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WAS APPALLING, MR YEUNG NOTED.

THIS WAS WHY THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED A BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST YEAR TO AMEND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL

A SET OF UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE. THE LEGISLATION CREATED OBLIGATIONS ON BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE SAFETY AT WORKPLACE.

SPECIFIC

LACK OF ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON POLLUTION-CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

THERE IS A GENERAL

LACK OF ADEQUATE INFORMATION AND EQUIPMENT IN HONG KONG, MR GRAHAM BARNES,

POLLUTION-CONTROL TECHNOLOGY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, TODAY (MONDAY).

MR BARNES SAID THE TIGHTENING UP OF HAD BEEN THE WORLD'S RESPONSE TO THE FAILURE HALF-HEARTED OR SIMPLY COSMETIC AT CONTROL.

ON

THE

SAID

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS OF ATTEMPTS SOMETIMES

/SPEAKING AT