XN000022-1991-08-31 — Page 2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1991

1

CHANGE IN WAGE REQUIREMENT FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS

CHANGE

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED A THE WAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE ADMISSION OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.

CONTRACTS EMPLOYMENT

ATTESTED

IN

BY

THE

BY WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT COMM193IONER FOR LABOUR MUST CARRY A WAGE NOT BELOW $3,200 PER MONTH.

MAY CARRY

RE-ENGAGEMENT CONTRACTS ATTESTED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1

MONTH, BUT SUCH CONTRACTS THE OLD RATE OF NOT LESS THAN $3,000 PER MUST TAKE EFFECT NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 1.

—

EMPLOYERS REMINDED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM CHEMICAL HAZARDS

INDUSTRIAL PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS HANDLING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.

THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUR-LUN, POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYERS WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS TO PROTECT THEIR WORKERS FROM CHEMICAL HAZARDS MIGHT FACE PROSECUTION.

MR YIP SAID 23 PROPRIETORS HAD BEEN PROSECUTED AND FINED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR FOR BREACHES OF THE REGULATIONS.

"THE REGULATIONS REQUIRE COMPULSORY CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING OF COMMONLY-USED, DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES WHICH COULD BE TOXIC, INFLAMMABLE, OXIDISING, EXPLOSIVE, CORROSIVE, IRRITANT OR HARMFUL," HE EXPLAINED.

IN ADDITION, PROPRIETORS SHOULD PROVIDE WORKERS WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE HAZARDS AND PRECAUTIONS NEEDED IN HANDLING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES.

"THEY SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS, TRAINING AND SUITABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO SUCH SUBSTANCES AND SHOULD ENSURE THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT 19 PROPERLY USED," HE SAID.

ANY PROPRIETOR WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000.

12