XN000022-1991-04-19 — Page 8

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991

IT ALSO MAKES CLEAR THAT A PERSON WHO ENTERS HONG KONG UNLAWFULLY FROM VIETNAM MAY BE DETAINED WHETHER OR NOT HE EXPRESSES A WISH TO SEEK ASYLUM OR APPLY FOR REFUGEE STATUS HERE.

THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR SCREENING IS NOW ABOUT TWO YEARS,

"GIVEN THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT THIS TASK, AND IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING INFLOW OF NEW ARRIVALS, IT WILL BE HARD TO REDUCE THIS WAITING TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

"

"BUT WE SHALL AIM TO SCREEN ALL NEW ARRIVALS MONTHS OF ARRIVAL, WHEN RESOURCES ALLOW, HE ADDED.

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WITHIN ABOUT 18

DETERMINING BACH

IN KEEPING WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S PRACTICE OF INDIVIDUAL'S STATUS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLY POSSIBLE, THE BILL ALLOWS FOR DETENTION FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD IN THE LIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES,

OF ALL THE

AN "AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT" CLAUSE WILL BE ADDED TO THE ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO THE GOVERNMENT'S POWER TO TRANSFER DETAINEES BETWEEN DETENTION CENTRES. PROVISION WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR APPEALS WHERE SUCH A TRANSFER IS MADE ON THE GROUNDS OF ORDER OR GOOD MANAGEMENT IN A DETENTION CENTRE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE POWERS WERE ESSENTIAL FROM A MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY POINT OF VIEW IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND ORDER IN THE CENTRES FOR THE BENEFIT OP THE CENTRE POPULATIONS THEMSELVES.

THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO MAKE MINOR AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS PROVISIONS. THEY INCLUDE A SECTION WHICH STATES CLEARLY THAT ALL DECISIONS OF THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD AND NOT JUST ITS ULTIMATE DECISIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM REVIEW.

"THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENTION OF THE SECTION AND THE REVISED WORDING WILL REMOVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

EMPLOYEES TO BE BETTER PROTECTED FOR COMPENSATION

WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS COMPENSATION ENTITLEMENT INCLUDING

MAY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THEIR COMMON LAW AWARDS, IN DEFAULT CASES ARISING OUT OF THE EMPLOYER'S FAILURE TO INSURE THEM OR FROM THE INSURER'S INSOLVENCY.

UNDER THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), EMPLOYERS MAY ALSO BE INDEMNIFIED IN RESPECT OF THEIR LIABILITY FOR SUCH COMPENSATION SHOULD THEIR INSURER BECOME INSOLVENT.

/"EMPLOYEES OR