XN000022-1991-11-27 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 27, 1991

OUTLINING MEASURES TO PROTECT FOREIGN WORKERS UNDER LOCAL LABOUR LEGISLATION, MR CHAN SAID IN FUTURE, THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WOULD CONTAIN A SPECIFIC CLAUSE REQUIRING PAYMENT OF WAGES то WORKER'S BANK ACCOUNT.

THE

"IN ADDITION, AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION FOR VISA EXTENSION FOR IMPORTED WORKERS (UPON COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR'S SERVICE), THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION WILL REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO CERTIFY THAT WAGES AS STIPULATED IN THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS ARE BEING PAID.

OF

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"PROVISION OF FALSE INFORMATION IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE $50,000 OR 14 YEARS IMPRISONMENT UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, SAID.

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION, WITH 1,540 INSPECTIONS MADE TO PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT AND LIVING QUARTERS OF 60 PER CENT OF THE IMPORTED WORKERS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR.

THE LABOUR INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING TO INDIVIDUAL WORKERS INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS WHILE EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT WAGES SHOULD BE PAID DIRECTLY INTO THE WORKERS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

ON MEASURES TO ASSIST FOREIGN WORKERS WHOSE WAGES HAD DEDUCTED, MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT INTERVENED BY ASKING EMPLOYER CONCERNED TO PAY BACK ANY OUTSTANDING WAGES.

BEEN

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"SHOULD THERE BE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE WORKER ABOUT ANY DEDUCTION OR UNDERPAYMENT, THE CASE WILL BE REFERRED TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR ADJUDICATION, HE SAID.

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THE DEPARTMENT ASSISTS THE WORKERS CONCERNED IN APPLYING FOR EXTENSIONS OF STAY IN ORDER TO PURSUE THEIR CLAIMS, AND ASSISTS

WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN DISMISSED AS A RESULT OF THEIR COMPLAINTS FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.

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REGARDING COMPLAINT CASES OF WAGE DEDUCTIONS, MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD DETECTED 334 SUSPECTED ITEMS OF WAGE UNDERPAYMENT AND DEDUCTION UP ΤΟ END-OCTOBER THIS YEAR DURING INSPECTIONS INCLUDING COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN WORKERS.

HE NOTED THAT 53 ITEMS HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIATED AND THE REST WERE EITHER UNSUBSTANTIATED OR STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FOR

UP TO NOVEMBER 22 THIS YEAR, ONE EMPLOYER HAS BEEN CONVICTED UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES AND WAS FINED $1,000 FOR EACH OF THE

SUMMONSES.

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PROSECUTION ACTION HAD BEEN INITIATED AGAINST FOUR OTHER EMPLOYERS AND IS BEING CONSIDERED AGAINST NINE OTHER EMPLOYERS.

IN

ADDITION, TWO OTHER CASES HAD BEEN REFERRED TO TRIBUNAL WHICH WERE STILL PENDING.

THE LABOUR

/AS REGARDS